JMSDF eyes Colombo Dockyard for future repairs

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Dockyard PLC was selected as an afloat repair service provider to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forces (JMSDF) at the Colombo Port, recently.

Every summer, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) deploys a fleet of ships across the Indo-Pacific region to conduct joint training, visit ports and invite locals aboard. This year, that engagement deepened.

One of the destroyers from the fleet, JS Samidare, has been making port calls that signal a greater commitment to the region. 

They include maintenance work at a Sri Lankan shipyard.

This is the first time for JMSDF to repair one of their vessels at a foreign shipyard, and Colombo Dockyard PLC WAS selected as the first shipyard in a foreign country to offer the repair facilities. 

The afloat repair was successfully carried out from 21st to 25th July 2023 at the port of Colombo.

According to Nikkei Asia, a spokesperson for the JMSDF said that the aim was to verify whether Colombo Dockyard was fit to service Japanese ships. 

Japanese shipbuilder Onomichi Dockyard took over Colombo Dockyard from a state-owned enterprise in 1993. 

Sources: Nikkei Asia / Marine Navigator