{"id":157747,"date":"2026-08-09T15:38:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T22:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=157747"},"modified":"2026-08-09T15:38:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T22:38:25","slug":"proposal-to-develop-trincomalee-as-a-boatbuilding-and-offshore-industry-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/08\/09\/proposal-to-develop-trincomalee-as-a-boatbuilding-and-offshore-industry-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposal to Develop Trincomalee as a Boatbuilding and Offshore Industry Hub"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera<\/em><\/span>
Former CEO, Colombo Dockyard PLC<\/em><\/span>
Former Chairman, Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation<\/em><\/span>
Chairman, Advisory Board for Marine and Offshore Industries<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

1. Principal Request to the Government and SLPA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) should reserve and formally allocate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf A suitable waterfront area at Mud Cove for a boatbuilding, repair and marine-services zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf A suitable land-and-water area at Clappenburg Bay for an offshore engineering, ship-repair, rig-support and lay-up hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf These areas should be protected from incompatible development and incorporated into the long-term Trincomalee Port Development Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Development should be undertaken through transparent long-term leases or public\u2013private partnerships, without requiring the Government to finance the entire project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Strategic Rationale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Trincomalee possesses a deep, sheltered natural harbour capable of accommodating large ships, offshore vessels, rigs and floating production units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf It has extensive anchorage areas suitable for vessel and offshore-rig lay-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Sri Lanka is a comparatively neutral location in the Indian Ocean and can serve vessels seeking alternatives to yards affected by regional congestion or geopolitical tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Trincomalee provides strategic access to the Bay of Bengal, India, Southeast Asia and the main Indian Ocean maritime network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf The harbour has sufficient potential to accommodate industrial activities, workshops, storage areas, repair facilities and supporting marine services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf The British use of Trincomalee as a major naval base demonstrates its long-recognised maritime and strategic value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Mud Cove Boatbuilding and Marine Services Zone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLPA should allocate Mud Cove primarily for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Construction of small and medium-sized commercial vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Fishing boats, patrol boats, passenger craft, workboats and harbour craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Yacht and leisure-craft construction and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Repair of tugs, barges, landing craft and offshore-support vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Fibreglass, aluminium and steel boatbuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Engine, electrical, hydraulic and navigation-equipment services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Boat lifting, launching and hardstand facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Marine-component manufacturing and storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Training of welders, fabricators, marine electricians, mechanics and boatbuilders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Facilities for local boatbuilders and small and medium-sized marine enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Clappenburg Offshore Industry Hub<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clappenburg area should be reserved for larger and heavier industrial activities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Hot and cold lay-up of offshore rigs and specialised vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Repair and refurbishment of jack-up and semi-submersible drilling rigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Repair of offshore-support vessels, anchor-handling tugs and construction vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Floating repair barges and mobile marine workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Underwater inspection, hull cleaning, diving and repair services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Heavy steel fabrication and offshore-module construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Manufacture and repair of subsea structures, pipework, skids and pressure equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Conversion and life-extension work for tankers, floating storage units and FPSOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Fabrication of accommodation modules, process modules and utility packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Heavy-lift operations and project-cargo handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Equipment storage, logistics bases and supply services for offshore projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Future naval and coastguard maintenance facilities, subject to national policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Phased Development Programme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 1: Immediate to Two Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Legally reserve the Mud Cove and Clappenburg sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Survey and clearly define the land and waterfront boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Prepare bathymetric, geotechnical, environmental and infrastructure studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish regulated ship and rig lay-up anchorages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Introduce one-stop approval procedures through SLPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Invite private operators for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Floating repair services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Diving and underwater inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Mobile workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Offshore-vessel repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Marine fabrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Boatbuilding and boat repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Provide basic road access, electricity, water, security and waste-reception facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 2: Three to Five Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Install a boat lift or shiplift at Mud Cove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish fabrication sheds, workshops and hardstand areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Introduce a floating dock or medium-sized repair dock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Develop dedicated rig-repair berths and heavy-load quays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish offshore-module and structural-fabrication facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Create bonded stores and marine-equipment supply centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish a technical training centre linked to TVEC, NAITA, universities and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 3: Five to Ten Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Develop a fully integrated offshore construction and repair yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Undertake major rig refurbishment and vessel-conversion projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Develop FPSO-module fabrication and integration capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Manufacture subsea structures and offshore renewable-energy components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish large-vessel repair and naval-maintenance capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Consider a large dry dock when sufficient demand and private investment have been secured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Investment Promotion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential investors and operating partners should be sought from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Qatar and Oman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf European offshore and marine-engineering centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priority should be given to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Established ship-repair and offshore-engineering companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Floating-dock and shiplift operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Ship-management companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Offshore logistics companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Marine-equipment manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Diving and subsea-service companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Sri Lankan companies capable of joining foreign investors as local partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Recommended Commercial Model<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf SLPA should retain ownership of the land and waterfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Facilities should be offered under properly structured long-term leases or concessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Private investors should finance, construct and operate the individual facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Lease conditions should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Minimum capital investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf A defined development schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Employment and training commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Environmental and safety requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Performance milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Provisions allowing SLPA to recover undeveloped land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf The two zones should accommodate multiple operators rather than granting the entire area to a single company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Government and SLPA Responsibilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Form an inter-agency task force led by SLPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Include the Board of Investment, Ministry of Industries, Export Development Board, CEA, Customs, Navy, Coast Guard, TVEC and relevant provincial authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Prepare a master plan covering both Mud Cove and Clappenburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Complete the required environmental assessment before major construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Establish clear procedures for customs, immigration, crew changes and temporary importation of marine equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Provide competitive port charges for vessels and rigs using Trincomalee for lay-up or repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Create a one-stop investment and approval desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Promote the project internationally as the Trincomalee Indian Ocean Offshore and Marine Services Hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Environmental and Safety Requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf All operators must comply with recognised marine, occupational-safety and pollution-control standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf The master plan should provide facilities for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Oily-water reception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Hazardous-waste handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Sewage and solid-waste management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Spill prevention and emergency response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Firefighting and rescue services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Monitoring of air, water and noise pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Shipbreaking or environmentally hazardous activities should not be permitted without a separate national policy, specialised facilities and strict regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. National Benefits<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Attract foreign direct investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Generate foreign-exchange earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Create skilled employment in the Eastern Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Provide opportunities for welders, fabricators, engineers, divers, electricians, mechanics and technicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Support local small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Develop Sri Lanka\u2019s marine-equipment supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Reduce the need to send Sri Lankan vessels abroad for repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Support naval, coastguard, fishing and commercial-vessel maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Position Sri Lanka within the regional offshore oil, gas and renewable-energy supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Contribute to the national Blue Economy programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Immediate Decisions Requested<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLPA is requested to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Grant in-principle approval to reserve Mud Cove for boatbuilding and marine services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Grant in-principle approval to reserve Clappenburg for offshore engineering, rig services, ship repair and lay-up activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Appoint a technical committee to define the required land and water areas within three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Commission a preliminary master plan and environmental scoping study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Invite expressions of interest from qualified Sri Lankan and international investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Introduce a regulated lay-up and marine-services scheme as the first revenue-generating stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Present the project at international maritime, offshore-energy and investment forums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri Lanka should not initially attempt to construct a costly, full-scale shipyard at Trincomalee. The practical approach is to begin with boatbuilding, lay-up, mobile repair, diving, marine fabrication and offshore-support services and expand according to confirmed demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My original proposal may have been 10\u201315 years ahead of national policy thinking, but its strategic basis remains valid. By reserving Mud Cove and Clappenburg now, SLPA can prevent the loss of these valuable waterfront areas and create the foundation for Trincomalee to become a competitive offshore and marine-industry hub in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera
Former CEO, Colombo Dockyard PLC
Former Chairman, Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation
Chairman, Advisory Board for Marine and Offshore Industries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr. Sarath ObeysekeraFormer CEO, Colombo Dockyard PLCFormer Chairman, Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development CorporationChairman, Advisory Board for Marine and Offshore Industries 1. Principal Request to the Government and SLPA \u25cf The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) should reserve and formally allocate: \u25cf A suitable waterfront area at Mud Cove for a boatbuilding, repair and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dr-sarath-obeysekera"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157747"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157748,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157747\/revisions\/157748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}