Asia/Pacific News
Testing, Pre-Commissioning of Hambantota Bunkering Facilities Begins
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has begun its testing and pre-commissioning of the bunkering tank farm at Hambantota, after the tanker M V Leon unloaded a cargo of marine gas oil there earlier this week, local news service Daily News reports.
In the coming weeks the facility will be tested for accuracy and efficiency of pumps, lines, and tanks.
Once the testing is complete, the facility will be made available for bunker operations, SLPA said.
Authorities had originally planned for a May 2011 start date for bunkering operations at the $1.5 billion port, but delays have led to a number of revised start dates for operations since then.
SLPA said last month operations would begin "around July."
China has provided the bulk of the finance to build the port at Hambantota, with the bunkering operation the only part of the port not open to external investment.
