- SLPA confirms receiving collaborative EOI
- Committee evaluating proposals, confirms 3 received
- No point discussing development without IMF disbursement: Access
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) reveals that it has received Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from three investment consortiums for the Galle Port Development Project, which will develop the country’s oldest port into a fully-fledged tourism port.
One of these EOIs involves a collaboration between the Access Group of Companies and China Harbour Engineering Company.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLPA Assistant Managing Director (Technical) Susantha Abeysiriwardena stated that they had received EOIs from three investment consortiums and that all three consortiums involved foreign and local investor participation.
He further stated that, as per his knowledge, a Cabinet-nominated committee had been set up to evaluate the EOIs and that evaluations were now at the last stage.
“Once they have identified the qualifying EOIs, Request for Proposal (RFP) documents will be sent to the respective investors. I’m aware that there are qualifying bidders, but I’m not aware of how many of the three qualify,” he explained.
He further revealed that one EOI had been sent by an investor consortium composed of Access Group of Companies and China Harbour Engineering Company. However, he was unable to recall the identity of the other two bidders.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Access Group of Companies Chairman Sumal Perera expressed his hesitation to submit a proposal for the Galle Port Development Project given the prevailing economic conditions in the country, in the event his organisation’s bid was deemed as qualifying and RFPs were issued.
Explaining further, he stated: “There is no point in formulating a proposal until we get the International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial facility, because we will not be able to obtain the necessary financing.”
The SLPA is seeking to develop the historic Galle Port to exclusively facilitate tourism under this development project, which will involve an investment of around $ 175 million. Accordingly, the Galle Port will be developed to accommodate not only yachts but all necessary tourism facilities including cruise ships and upscale accommodation.
The key developments targeted under this project include the construction of two offshore breakwaters with a length of 850 m and 150 m respectively, in order to ensure sufficient levels of calm in the Galle Bay which is necessary for leisure activities.
The existing port facility will be upgraded by constructing a 150 m cruise berth with a 15.5 m draft, which will be constructed to accommodate even the largest cruise ships in the world.
In addition, a 40 ha land area will be reclaimed from the sea using dredging material from the harbour basin and the access channel. This reclaimed land area will be used by the investor for real estate development which includes apartments, villas, leisure parks, etc.
Furthermore, the project will include the construction of a state-of-the-art cruise terminal incorporating colonial heritage architecture, where the occupants of the cruise may enjoy their time and all other necessary facilities 24x7.