Govt seeks RFPs to improve Colombo Port

By Zohara Ghaffoor

The Government will seek Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to develop the infrastructure of the cruise liner terminal in the Colombo Port, said Minister of Ports and Shipping, Mahinda Samarasinghe, adding that Expressions of Interest (EOI) will also be sought for the construction of a marina facility in Galle.

Speaking at the annual awards ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Samarasinghe said, “There are so many cruise liners passing the Colombo Port; this is huge business for our country. For this purpose, we will soon be going to the Cabinet to call for RFPs.”

Samarasinghe said that his Ministry and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) were keen to partner with the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Board, and travel agents, so that all players in the cruise liner business could work together to ensure the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s image as an attractive cruise liner destination.

The Minister revealed that certain groups had already made inquiries in this regard, but assured that a level playing field would be established by choosing the most feasible bid that facilitates the infrastructure development within a short time period.

Noting that his Ministry was in the process of calling for expressions of interest for the development of a marina facility in Galle, Samarasinghe said, “Galle, as you know, is a tourist destination and though the marina proposal has been there, no one has moved to make it a reality. This is a top priority; a first-class marina facility will be established there for the benefit of the country’s economy.”

SLPA’s Chairman, speaking to Ceylon FT, said the call for RFPs to develop the state-of-the-art passenger cruise terminal would take place in the next month or two. “We will call for expressions of interest from companies experienced in the development of passenger cruise terminals. It is a possibility that the SLPA will end up financing this operation entirely; but this truly depends on the type of partners we will be able to attract.”

However, he noted there was a need for other infrastructure facilities inside the Port, such as state-of-the-art hotels, to attract cruise passengers.