A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited the Hambantota Port Development Project to inspect the progress of the Hambantota Port. The delegation included Dr Brian Aitken, Chief of the IMF Mission to Sri Lanka.
The first stage of the Hambantota Port Development Project is to be completed by the end of this year. The total cost of the project is US $360 million. An oil tank farm consisting of 14 tanks will also be constructed at Hambantota Port. Eight tanks will be used for fuel bunkering facilities for vessels while three tanks will be used for aero fuel and the other three tanks for storing LP gas.
The 600 metre long jetty of the port is nearing completion and the depth of the basin will be 17 metres.
Once the Hambantota Port is completed, the vessels could save nearly three days of sailing time, fuel and enjoy a number of other benefits at Hambantota. It is envisaged that many of the 4,500 oil tankers would be anchored at Hambantota for bunkering, ship repairing and also to purchase food, water, medical supplies as well as logistics.
