The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, together with the Petroleum Storage Terminals Company
expanded the pipeline systems and facilities required for bunkering operations at the Port of
Colombo.
Due to limited pipeline systems and oil loading facilities available at the Colombo Port, bunkering
operations have faced several challenges and as the first phase of the special plan introduced by the
new government to address this concern, the Petroleum Storage Terminal Company developed a new
pipeline system and oil-loading facility at the South Jetty of Colombo Port, and the Ceylon Petroleum
Corporation today (22) supplied bunkering fuel via private company engaged in bunkering operations
in Sri Lanka, using this facility for the very first time.
Speaking at this special occasion, Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody highlighted…
“Until now, the bunkering operations at the Colombo Port were carried out only through the Dolphin
Jetty. However, since this jetty was also used for country’s oil imports, it led to disruptions in supply
of bunker fuel. That posed a significant obstacle to the operations in the bunker fuel trade. We spotted
this issue and made arrangements to construct an alternative pipeline connection to supply bunker
fuel via the South Jetty of the port while expanding the facilities. As a result, today we could manage
the first bunker fuel supply operation through the South Jetty. This marks an important step in
expanding bunker fuel trade and I would like to call this a milestone under the government's program
to make our country a maritime hub in the region.” He also stated that the Ministry of Energy and the
entities under its purview such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Petroleum Storage
Terminal Company, are working in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation and
the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in this regard, and this coordinated effort will be pivotal in
development activities and achieving goals.
Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Janitha Ruwan
Kodithuwakku, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Petroleum Storage Terminal
Company Janaka Rajakaruna, Managing Director Dr. Mayura Netthikumara, and several other senior
officials from the respective institutions also graced the occasion.