25-10-2021
The Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) on 16 October technically completed and dispatched two vessels to Iraq; Buoy Tender Vessel ‘Al-Faw’ and Pilot Station Vessel ‘Shatt Al-Arab’, for General Company for Port of Iraq (GCPI). For these vessels, Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) of Japan signed the main contract with GCPI and subcontracted the shipbuilding works to CDPLC.
The project was funded under Japanese ODA Loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Currently, the two vessels are being transported to Iraq onboard ‘Development Way’, a semisubmersible vessel. This was a novel experience to CDPLC as well as to Port of Colombo. The semisubmersible vessel ‘Development Way’ entered Port of Colombo on 11 October.
Firstly it took water ballast to submerge itself and then the two vessels ‘Al-Faw’ and ‘Shatt Al-Arab’ were loaded on board and then the semisubmersible vessel de-ballasted. Subsequently, the two vessels were well secured and fastened and the ‘Development way’ embarked on its voyage from Colombo to Iraq.
The vessel shifting operation was successfully carried out in collaboration with GAC Shipping Ltd., and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority officials extended their fullest cooperation and support for this unique operation. The two vessels will reach Iraq in due course for delivery to the GCPI. CDPLC established in 1974 mainly for shipbuilding and ship repairing activities, in the span of 47 years, has earned a reputation internationally, of being one of the most competitive and dynamic shipbuilding and ship repairing facility in the South Asia region.
CDPLC operates in collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Ltd. of Japan who owns a stake of 51% at Colombo Dockyard while Sri Lankan Government institutions have a 35% shareholding at Colombo Dockyard. As the leader of the shipbuilding industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence by successfully securing and executing large scale shipbuilding projects for worldwide operation. CDPLC is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialisation and the main contributor to the Government’s National Export Strategy from the shipbuilding sector.