Oct 15, 2008 (LBO) - The Maersk group, which runs the world's
biggest shipping line, may be interested in investing in a new container
terminal in the planned new deep-draft port next to Colombo, a company official
said.
Maersk Line is part of the Danish AP
Moller-Maersk group and operates independently of the terminal operator unit,
APM Terminals (APMT).
"APM Terminals may tender for south port terminal project," said Amal
Rodrigo, country manager of Maersk Lanka.
Construction work on the breakwater of the new port is underway and the
government is about to call for tenders to build the new port's container
terminals.
The tenders for the project were first called last year but cancelled when
the government could not decide between the two top contenders, Port of
Singapore Authority and Hutchison Port Holdings of Hong Kong.
The AP Moller-Maersk group, commonly known as Maersk, is the world's largest
container ship operator and also a big container terminal operator.
It is one of Colombo's biggest customers and also has a stake in the
privatised South Asia Gateway Terminals container facility.
Rodrigo said the Maersk group did not bid when bids for the container
terminal project were called initially.
"The last time APMT did not participate
because it was involved in too many projects and its resources were tied up. But
this time it may tender," he said.
"APMT is actively looking at the project. But it depends on the tender
documents and criteria."
Rodrigo said Colombo port needs to move fast to build new deep-water
terminals if it is to remain competitive.
Existing facilities were nearing saturation and new terminals are needed to
handle bigger, new container ships now being deployed on trade routes.
(LBO-16102008)
