Dr Sarath Obeysekera

TRINCOMALEE 2040

India–Sri Lanka Integrated Maritime & Energy Hub

(A Transformational Bilateral Proposal)

1. The Big Idea (Simple but Powerful) 

Turn Trincomalee into:

The Singapore of the Bay of Bengal

The Rotterdam of South Asia

 A Joint India–Sri Lanka Strategic Energy & Marine Hub

Not just a port—but a fully integrated ecosystem:

• Energy
• Shipping
• Industry
• Logistics
• Defence cooperation (non-offensive)
• Blue economy

2. Why This Will Shake Minds

Geography Nobody Can Ignore

• Deep natural harbour (one of the finest in the world)
• Direct access to East–West shipping routes
• Proximity to India’s industrial east coast

This is not a new port—it is an underutilised global asset.

3. Strategic Partnership Model

Joint Development Authority (JDA)

A special purpose body:

• Sri Lanka (51% sovereignty assured)
• India (strategic + financial partner)
• Optional: Japan / ASEAN investors

Modeled loosely on:

• Jurong Island
• Rotterdam Port

4. 5 Pillars of the Master Plan

(A) Energy Hub of South Asia

Transform tank farms into:

• Regional petroleum storage & trading hub
• LNG terminal for India’s east coast demand
• Green hydrogen export base

Build on:

• Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm

India gets energy security

Sri Lanka gets revenue + geopolitics leverage

(B) Shipbuilding & Repair Mega Zone

Joint venture with:

• Cochin Shipyard
• Colombo Dockyard collaboration

Facilities:

• Dry docks for VLCCs
• Offshore rig repair
• Naval maintenance (non-combat cooperation)

Capture Indian Ocean repair market now going to Dubai & Singapore

(C) Industrial & Export Processing Zone

Heavy + light industries:

• Steel fabrication
• Marine equipment
• Fertilizer & petrochemicals

Linked to India’s:

• Sagarmala Programme

 Integrate supply chains across Palk Strait

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(D) Logistics & Transshipment Expansion

Complement—not compete with—Colombo:

• Bulk cargo hub (coal, cement, grain)
• Automotive logistics
• Cruise terminal

Smart port tech:

• AI logistics
• Blockchain customs clearance

(E) Blue Economy & Marine Cluster

• Fisheries modernization
• Ocean research institute
• Marine tourism

Joint research with Indian institutions

5. The Game-Changer: India–Sri Lanka Economic Bridge

Not a physical bridge—but:

A Maritime Economic Corridor

Connect:

• Chennai
• Visakhapatnam
• Trincomalee

Fast ferry + cargo + energy pipelines (future)

6. Investment Structure

Phase 1 (0–5 years)

• Tank farm modernization
• LNG terminal
• Basic ship repair yard

 $3–5 billion

Phase 2 (5–15 years)

• Industrial zone
• Deep port expansion

$8–12 billion

Phase 3 (15–25 years)

• Hydrogen economy
• Full maritime cluster

 $15+ billion

7. Political Selling Points

For Sri Lanka:

• Sovereignty maintained (majority stake)
• Jobs in Eastern Province
• Foreign exchange engine
• Reduced debt dependency

For India:

• Strategic foothold in Indian Ocean
• Energy security node
• Counterbalance to external powers
• Economic extension of eastern corridor

8. Risk—And How to Neutralize

Risk	Solution
Sovereignty concerns	Sri Lanka majority ownership
Indian domestic politics	Position as economic, not military
Global geopolitics	Multi-country participation (Japan, ASEAN)
Environmental concerns	Green port + ESG compliance

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera