Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) ceremonially opened an office at the Hambantota International Port Group (Private) Ltd (HIPG), at the HIPG “Maritime Centre” auspiciously on the 10th of December 2019. The ceremonial opening of the plaque was done by H. Tanaka, Chairman of CDPLC at the auspicious time of 10.41 AM, followed by cutting of the ribbon by Mr D. V Abeysinghe, MD/CEO and Mr K.B.P Fernando, Chief Operating Officer. The official exchanging of the agreement between H. Tanaka, Chairman-CDPLC and Ray Ren, CEO-HIPG was carried out to mark this historic day in the journey of Colombo Dockyard. The opening ceremony was graced by the senior team of Colombo Dockyard PLC and HIPG/HIPS and maritime industry seniors. The strategic maritime location of Hambantota, in close proximity to the key maritime sea routes, will allow Colombo Dockyard to offer afloat repair services to a multitude of vessels calling for transhipment, bunkering and other operations and dedicated afloat repairs. Colombo Dockyard’s presence at HIPG, will allow them to handle larger size (VLCC) vessels comfortably, taking advantage of HIPG’s deep draft berthing facilities and excellent support services for afloat repairs. Tanaka, Chairman CDPLC explained, “Colombo Dockyard’s recently launched the Rapid Response Afloat Repair Service (RRARS) with the focus to provide afloat repairs at all Sri Lankan ports, to play a crucial role in providing the required repair support to the vessels calling at Hambantota Port.” Abeysinghe, MD/CEO, CDPLC added: “This capacity augmentation for afloat repairs in Sri Lanka is expected to bring in much needed foreign exchange to the Sri Lankan economy”. Thus expanding the Colombo Dockyard’s ship repair footprint in Sri Lanka to the deep south of the island. Benny Fernando, COO, CDPLC emphasised that Dockyard General Engineering Services (DGES) a subsidiary of CDPLC which is specialising in providing heavy engineering solutions for mega mechanical & civil related projects, is ideally geared to provide required heavy engineering services for future expansion phases of the port. Established in 1974 Colombo Dockyard PLC is a Board of Investment (BOI) registered establishment, listed in the Colombo Stock exchange, operating in collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd Japan since 1993 (for over 26 years), is the pioneer ship repair, shipbuilding and heavy and offshore engineering facility.