Trinco port gets night navigation facility from Japan

The Trincomalee port, the fifth largest natural harbour in the world, has received a one-billion-Yen night navigation operations facility from Japan.

The project includes a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System, Radar Equipment, Lighthouse Equipment, 16 Navigation Buoys, two Mooring Buoys, two 400KV Generators, 14 Fire Pumps with machinery, and a Pilot Vessel provided by the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) with the assistance of the Government and the People of Japan.

The Trinco Night Navigation Operations Project was handed over for operations on 17 February 2023, at a function held at the Port of Trincomalee, with the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki, and the participation of several higher officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The SLPA expects the daily operational capacity at the Port of Trincomalee to increase with the commencement of the Night Navigation Operations.

Currently, the Port of Trincomalee is being developed to facilitate cement, mineral sand, and fuel importation. The adjoining lands to the port will be utilised for port-related industries. The port, which was incurring losses until recently, has started generating outstanding profits during the past six months. Under the latest developmental plans, ample opportunities are available in Trincomalee for a large scope of port-related investments, such as tank farms and LNG storage facilities. The SLPA points out those lands in the port’s suburbs could be well-utilised for these purposes. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has already implemented programmes to attract more local and foreign investors to the port.