Tough global pandemic conditions are bringing out the best in shipyard’s innovative strategies to counter these difficult times. Since its establishment in 1974, and planning to mark its 46th Anniversary in 2020, Colombo Dockyard has seen and witnessed many recessions and boom times. However, this Covid-19 pandemic driven lockdown situation is unique, which requires innovative and smart approaches to counter these challenges successfully.
Sri Lankan government’s aggressive drive to combat the Covid-19 pandemic from mid-March has been effective, paving the way for relaxing the lockdown by mid-May. The Government of Sri Lanka appointed Covid-19 Taskforce declared all port-related activities as essential services, thus allowing the shipyard to continue operations under its guidelines. The latest update, as at 2nd May, indicates that the lockdown will be relaxed by 11th May 2020. Over the lockdown period since 15th of March, the shipyard has been operating at 30% capacity, providing essential repair services and completing the vessels undergoing repairs in the yard, whilst meeting the client’s requirements safely requirements.
“In Colombo, we focus on organising the work of our shipyard team and subcontractors in such a way that it is carried out in the safest possible way, and in keeping in line with the Government Covid 19 Taskforce guidelines,” explains Darshana Chandrasekera, Head of Marketing, Ship Repairs at the yard. “The shipyard operations are expected to return to normal operational levels by mid of May. We anticipate that the passenger flight operations will also resume as per the above timeline, allowing the operations to move smoothly.
The shipyard has operated jointly, in collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co Ltd, Japan since 1993, providing the best of Japanese-Sri Lankan expertise, with the location and economic convenience of Colombo