March 1, 2011 [LBO] - The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said it is more than doubling bunker storage facilities in Colombo port to cater to an increasing number of ship fuel suppliers.
The SLPA plans to more than double bunker fuel storage capacity to 95,000 metric tonnes with the aim of making Colombo a bunkering hub, a ports authority statement said.
Facilities to accommodate excess quantities of petroleum products based on the import plans will be arranged at weekly meetings.
A feasibility study is being conducted to identify the best location to construct another tank for the storage of marine diesel oil which will cost about 90 million rupees.
Obsolete oil pipelines are to be replaced at a cost of 150 million rupees to improve the efficiency in transfer of marine fuel from Colombo port to the Colombo Oil Bank bunkering facility.
The SLPA also plans to provide for additional berthing for oil tankers.
