Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have announced the start of construction works for the second phase of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port.
The terminal’s construction, which will be conducted in three phases, is scheduled to be completed in 2024. It will be jointly carried out by the Sri Lankan civil engineering company Access Engineering PLC and China Harbor Engineering Company.
The total expenditure expected to be spent for the project is US$510 million and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) will spend US$200 million, according to a statement from the president’s media office.
The terminal, which is spread over an area of 750,000 m2, is 1,320 meters long. Once completed, it will be equipped with 12 service truck cranes (STC) and 40 rail mounted gantry (RMG) cranes, that will be provided by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC).
The president and the prime minister unveiled a plaque marking the beginning of construction works at the terminal in an event that was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, other religious leaders, cabinet and state ministers, governors, ambassadors, parliamentarians, and government officials.
Minister of Ports and Shipping of the country, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, said the Port of Colombo, which is now the 23rd busiest port in the world, will climb in the 13th position after the completion of the new development work.
