Dr Sarath Obeysekera

 https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/President-Dissanayake-to-visit-France/108-343915

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s forthcoming visit to France offers an opportunity that extends well beyond strengthening diplomatic ties. While discussions with global shipping giant CMA CGM are undoubtedly important, Sri Lanka should also use this occasion to position itself as a regional hub for the marine, offshore and energy industries.

The planned meeting with Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, is expected to focus on logistics, container transshipment and terminal investments. These are vital sectors, particularly given Colombo Port’s strategic location on the main East-West shipping route.

However, Sri Lanka should broaden the scope of discussions to include leading French engineering, offshore energy and industrial companies with proven experience across Asia and the Middle East.

Among the companies that deserve consideration are Saipem, a global leader in offshore engineering and subsea construction; TotalEnergies, which is expanding rapidly in LNG, renewable energy and offshore developments throughout Asia; Technip Energies, renowned for LNG plants, hydrogen, ammonia and industrial infrastructure; Bourbon, one of the world’s leading offshore vessel operators; and Vallourec, supplying specialised steel tubular products for offshore oil, gas and hydrogen projects.

These companies possess expertise directly relevant to Sri Lanka’s long-term ambitions of developing the Trincomalee region as an integrated Marine and Offshore Industrial Hub.

Rather than limiting investment promotion to container terminals, Sri Lanka should present Trincomalee as a destination for:

• Offshore engineering and fabrication yards
• Shipbuilding and ship repair
• FPSO and offshore platform maintenance
• LNG and green hydrogen infrastructure
• Offshore wind support bases
• Marine equipment manufacturing
• Subsea engineering services
• Offshore logistics and supply bases
• Mineral processing and value addition
• Advanced vocational training for marine industries

While Colombo will continue to strengthen its role as South Asia’s premier transshipment hub and Hambantota is rapidly emerging as another major logistics and industrial port, Trincomalee offers entirely different advantages. Its deep natural harbour, extensive land availability and proximity to energy shipping routes make it uniquely suited for heavy marine industries rather than simply container handling.

The French Government has consistently supported sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy and industrial development throughout the Indo-Pacific. Aligning French industrial expertise with Sri Lanka’s natural maritime advantages could create a new chapter in bilateral economic cooperation.

There is also scope for collaboration involving Indian partners. Companies such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited>, with experience in shipbuilding and offshore engineering, could potentially participate in joint ventures alongside French companies. Such trilateral partnerships involving Sri Lanka, France and India could help develop offshore engineering capabilities while complementing the logistics strengths already being developed in Colombo and Hambantota.

The President’s visit therefore should not be viewed solely as an investment mission for container terminals. It should become a platform for attracting world-class industrial investors capable of transforming Sri Lanka into a regional centre for marine engineering, offshore energy, advanced manufacturing and blue economy industries.

With global supply chains diversifying and increasing attention being given to resilient Indo-Pacific maritime infrastructure, Sri Lanka has a rare opportunity to present a comprehensive investment proposition. If the right industrial partners are brought to the table, the country can move beyond being merely a transshipment hub and establish itself as a centre for high-value maritime and offshore industries.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera