Text and photo by Colombo Dockyard
On 22nd February 2021, Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) delivered a Pilot Launch, the third Pilot Launch, as per an Agreement signed with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on 1st February 2019.This ceremony was graced by Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities, Boats and Shipping Industry Development, Mr. D.D. Mataraarachchi, Secretary of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities, Boats and Shipping Industry Development State Ministry, General R. M. Daya Ratnayake Chairman SLPA, Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna, Vice Chairman SLPA, Capt. Nirmal Silva Harbour Master SLPA, Mr. Ajith Seneviratne, Director General Merchant Shipping, Mr. Jagath Kumara, Senior Surveyor Class LR and several other distinguished guests from SLPA.
Mr. H. Tanaka Chairman CDPLC, Mr. D.V. Abeysinghe MD/CEO CDPLC, Mr. K. Kanaya Director CDPLC, Mr. S. Asai Technical Advisor CDPLC and a host of other Senior Management and Staff representing Colombo Dockyard participated at this momentous occasion.
The Pilot Launch was designed by MACDUFF Ship Design Ltd of Scotland and this Pilot Launch will serve to transport pilots from shore to ship. It can accommodate a total number of 8 persons including 4 crew members and 4 pilots and it can achieve a service speed of 22 knots.
This ceremony was organized and conducted in a modest scale and in a simple manner paying special attention to the Government’s Health and Safety guidelines placed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, depicting CDPLC’s corporate social responsibility towards the prevention of any possible transmission of the COVID-19 at workplaces.
CDPLC operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited of Japan who owns a stake of 51% at Colombo Dockyard, while Sri Lankan Government institutions have a 35% shareholding at Colombo Dockyard
As one of the leaders of the Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence by successfully securing shipbuilding projects both local and overseas.
CDPLC is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialization and is one of the main contributors to the Government’s National Export Strategy from the Shipbuilding sector.
