senok: Development of Port in Hambantota

With a view to realization of the full potential of the development of harbour facility in Hambantota and recognition of integrating port development with regional development, a comprehensive consultancy study utilizing consultant having experience in greenfield port construction whose work has been acceptable to international lending agencies is in the final stage.

Port of Hambantota is planned as a Service and Industrial Port and subsequently it could be developed as a transshipment port depending on the increasing cargo volumes.

In view of urgency, short term plan has been prepared for a service port as phase 1 of the project in order to cater for the immediate demands in accordance with the master plan. The Main components are two nos. of berth with 500m length, and the Breakwater of about 1.8 km and the proposed port will have depth of 15m. presently negotiations are being held with Government of China for funding arrangements.

Project Features – Phase 1 of the project will cater for initial requirements as identified in Feasibility Study. The proposed port is planned to have the two breakwater arms on the seaside to ensure the safe navigation and the basin and quay walls within the lagoon called “Karagam Lewaya”, having an access channel across the Hambantota - Colombo main road. The main important feature of this project is the construction of the quay wall and basin in dry condition after constructing a cofferdam along the perimeter. The main parameters of the phase 1 are as follows,

·         Design Vessel 100,000 DWT
·         Approach Channel Width 210m
·         Approach Channel Depth 17m
·         Turning Circle 600m
·         Quay Length( General cargo) 600m
·         Service Quay 105 m
·         Oil Quay 310 m
·         Depth of Basin 17m
·         Cost of the Construction Works US $ 361 million
·         Date of Commencement 15^th January 2008
·         Project Duration 39 months