Hambantota bunker operations to commence in October

Operations at Sri Lanka's 82,000 metric tonne (mt) capacity bunker terminal in Hambantota port are set to commence in October 2012.

"We got the license on Wednesday. We are now in the process of buying test products. It might take three months to start, so it will be in October," said Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrema.

Originally set to open in May 2011, the facility contains eight tanks for bunker fuel and six tanks for aviation fuel and LPG.

The Hong Kong Standard reported China Exim Bank has provided a loan of $77 million for the terminal, with China providing the "bulk" of the $1.5 billion to build of the port.

The bunkering operation is the only part of the port that is not open to external investment.

Ship & Bunker reported last week that the SLPA was looking for another $1 billion of investment for Hambantota port.