Japan and India partner with Sri Lanka to develop Colombo Port

[Cobra Arbok]

21 May 2019
News
Japan and India partner with Sri Lanka to develop Colombo Port
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Japan, India and Sri Lanka are reportedly planning to develop the Port of Colombo as part of their strategy to tap the trade opportunities offered by the Indian Ocean.

The development will also boost Colombo Port’s capacity to handle additional containers and strengthen marine transportation in and around South Asia, reported Nikkei Asian Review.

By developing the Sri Lankan port, all three countries seek to control the Chinese assertiveness that has been using Belt and Road projects to influence the region.

According to the publication, all three governments are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this year while work on the project is scheduled to commence by March 2020.

Working-level discussions are under progress and government officials from the three countries are likely to agree on blueprint and form of the project this year.

Plans also include corporate partners to support the development of Colombo Port. Japanese Official Development Assistance is expected to provide a portion of funding for the project.

The East container terminal, which is situated at the southern part of the Port of Colombo, will be developed by the three countries. The development includes deepening the port and making it capable of handling large container ships.

Colombo Port is one of the largest ports in Sri Lanka and facilitates 90% of the country’s marine goods transport to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

In 2017, the port had 6.21 million twenty-foot equivalent units of traffic.

A Japanese Government source told the publication: “If the development of the Port of Colombo takes time, cargo might be transferred to Hambantota.”

A few of Japan’s primary maritime routes go via the Indian Ocean. Hence, the upgraded capacity of the region’s ports will boost the security of tankers and commercial ships
@Nilgiri @Godman @Jackdaws @Soumitra @AyanRay @Tshering22 @jaiind @Novice09 @Rollno21 @kris @Sheena1980 @Vikki @KapitaanAli @jetray @pahadi @Śakra @third eye @Tea addict @Sam. @Chhatrapati @Srinivas @Peshwa @Robinhood Pandey @Ajaxpaul @anant_s @jamahir @HydNizam
@SrNair @koolzberg @Khatri_pune @Axomiya_lora @ajpirzada @SrNair @Smarana Mitra @mastaan @Sekhon Rafiqui @Aryan0395 @HydNizam @God Parshuram @mastaan @Jugger @Syed Hammad Ahmed @surya kiran @Chowkidar placemat @nahtanbob @Viet @Viva_Viet

 

[Tom M]

Is an MoU signed yet ??? Is it some open bidding ??? Did anyone was awarded the contract yet ???

If not, why even talk about talks, if nothing even happened on paper yet ????

 

[GHALIB]

21 May 2019
News
Japan and India partner with Sri Lanka to develop Colombo Port
Share

Japan, India and Sri Lanka are reportedly planning to develop the Port of Colombo as part of their strategy to tap the trade opportunities offered by the Indian Ocean.

The development will also boost Colombo Port’s capacity to handle additional containers and strengthen marine transportation in and around South Asia, reported Nikkei Asian Review.

By developing the Sri Lankan port, all three countries seek to control the Chinese assertiveness that has been using Belt and Road projects to influence the region.

According to the publication, all three governments are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this year while work on the project is scheduled to commence by March 2020.

Working-level discussions are under progress and government officials from the three countries are likely to agree on blueprint and form of the project this year.

Plans also include corporate partners to support the development of Colombo Port. Japanese Official Development Assistance is expected to provide a portion of funding for the project.

The East container terminal, which is situated at the southern part of the Port of Colombo, will be developed by the three countries. The development includes deepening the port and making it capable of handling large container ships.

Colombo Port is one of the largest ports in Sri Lanka and facilitates 90% of the country’s marine goods transport to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

In 2017, the port had 6.21 million twenty-foot equivalent units of traffic.

A Japanese Government source told the publication: “If the development of the Port of Colombo takes time, cargo might be transferred to Hambantota.”

A few of Japan’s primary maritime routes go via the Indian Ocean. Hence, the upgraded capacity of the region’s ports will boost the security of tankers and commercial ships
@Nilgiri @Godman @Jackdaws @Soumitra @AyanRay @Tshering22 @jaiind @Novice09 @Rollno21 @kris @Sheena1980 @Vikki @KapitaanAli @jetray @pahadi @Śakra @third eye @Tea addict @Sam. @Chhatrapati @Srinivas @Peshwa @Robinhood Pandey @Ajaxpaul @anant_s @jamahir @HydNizam
@SrNair @koolzberg @Khatri_pune @Axomiya_lora @ajpirzada @SrNair @Smarana Mitra @mastaan @Sekhon Rafiqui @Aryan0395 @HydNizam @God Parshuram @mastaan @Jugger @Syed Hammad Ahmed @surya kiran @Chowkidar placemat @nahtanbob @Viet @Viva_Viet

Very good proposal.

 

[Cobra Arbok]

Is an MoU signed yet ??? Is it some open bidding ??? Did anyone was awarded the contract yet ???

If not, why even talk about talks, if nothing even happened on paper yet ????

I think it has been confirmed that India, Japan, and Sri Lanka will sign an MoU soon. I think the three countries are just fine-tuning the details.

 

[Tom M]

I think it has been confirmed that India, Japan, and Sri Lanka will sign an MoU soon. I think the three countries are just fine-tuning the details.

That's what I said precisely. MoU itself is a talk, it doesn't have any legal binding/obligation. So why talk about talks. It would be better if we open and discuss about this once the MoU is signed at-least in my opinion.

 

[Cobra Arbok]

That's what I said precisely. MoU itself is a talk, it doesn't have any legal binding/obligation. So why talk about talks. It would be better if we open and discuss about this once the MoU is signed at-least in my opinion.

Good point. But it makes sense that Sri Lanka wants an alternative to China after the what happened with Hambantota port.

 

[mastaan]

We should actually help Lanka refinance their chinese port with some help from Japan and US.. Would be fun!

 

[Nilgiri]

We should actually help Lanka refinance their chinese port with some help from Japan and US.. Would be fun!

Nah colombo port is fine.

Its best to stay away from the "new infra form scratch" stuff like hambantota all together.

Colombo port can be upgraded, improved and expanded....and it is well integrated already with SL economy and logistics.

Very happy that Japan is partner in this, they always do thorough analysis of the pragmatic utility of investment (and thus its return feasibility)....rather than investment for investment sake (driven more by surplus forex and surplus capacity).

 

[Cobra Arbok]

Nah colombo port is fine.

Its best to stay away from the "new infra form scratch" stuff like hambantota all together.

Colombo port can be upgraded, improved and expanded....and it is well integrated already with SL economy and logistics.

Very happy that Japan is partner in this, they always do thorough analysis of the pragmatic utility of investment (and thus its return feasibility)....rather than investment for investment sake (driven more by surplus forex and surplus capacity).

I agree. The fact that Japan is on board with this means I am confident this is going to be a success. I have a feeling that is why China is feeling a bit uncomfortable with this, Japan is one of the few countries in Asia that can match everything that China can deliver.