Chinese energy company Sinopec, who also runs bunkering operations at the port, said it would support the refinery's construction, according to Ship & Bunker.
The seven companies who have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) are Grant & Shearer Ltd. of Nigeria, Sinopec of China, Petrichor Capital Sbn. Bhd. of Malaysia, Vitol Group of Singapore, Matin Tejarat Co. of Iran, Harree Management Services (Pvt.) Ltd. with Marka Invest of Sri Lanka and the UAE, Deniyaya Engineering Sales and Service Syndicate of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Minister of Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, has said a technical evaluation committee & other procurement committees will now evaluate the proposals.
The addition of a refinery at Hambantota would likely help lower the port's bunker prices.