China Merchants Port (CMPort) has announced that CMPort, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (GOSL), Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) have agreed on the terms of the Concession Agreement in relation to the development, management and operation of the Hambantota Port.

CMPort will agree to invest an amount of up to US$1,120 million into Hambantota Port and Hambantota port and marine-related activities, of which the total amount to be paid to SLPA for the acquisition of the 85% issued share capital of HIPG shall be US$973.7 million (and HIPG shall use a portion of such amount to acquire 58% issued share capital of HIPS) and the remaining USD146.342 million shall be deposited into a bank account in the name of the Company in Sri Lanka and will be utilized for such Hambantota port and marine-related activities as may be agreed with GOSL within one year from the final payment of capital injection in HIPG and the company shall be entitled to repatriate any amounts in the bank account at the expiration of such one year period if no agreement has been reached with GOSL for the use of such funds.

 Pursuant to the Concession Agreement, SLPA and GOSL will grant:

1. to HIPG, the sole and exclusive right to develop, operate and manage the Hambantota Port and
2. to HIPS, the sole and exclusive right to develop, operate and manage the Common User Facilities, for the operation of the Hambantota Port. The term of the Concession Agreement shall commence on the Concession Agreement Effective Date of 99 years. During the first 15 years from the Concession Agreement Effective Date, SLPA and GOSL shall ensure that there shall be no, and shall not obtain any fresh tenders, granting any right to any third party, or discuss, negotiate or entering into any arrangement or agreement with any third party in relation to the development of any port/terminal development directly in competition with the port services and activities carried out at the Hambantota Port within 100 km perimeter from the periphery of the Hambantota Port.

The Port of Hambantota is located on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka occupying a prime location within 10 nautical miles to the main shipping route from Asia to Europe and is also in a strategic position along the “Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. Hambantota Port is a comprehensive deep-water port, the Hambantota Port project is a project to develop a major industrial and service port with an attached industrial zone in the Port of Hambantota and it is currently expected that the project will comprise of three phases. With 10 berths in Phase 1 and 2, and quay length of up to 3,487 meters; the berths are specialized to handle containers, bulk cargos, general cargos, RO-RO cargos and liquid bulk. Water depth alongside the quay and navigation channel is -17 meters, which makes Hambantota Port a deep-water port capable of handling super-mega vessels. Hambantota Port has great potential for future expansion, with its hinterland covering the South Asian region, and as a maritime hub in the region.

CMPort has, in recent years, been actively exploring and, as and when deemed appropriate, capturing available opportunities overseas as the means to effectively add new growth drivers to its existing and sustainably growing ports business. Having already established a story of success in Port of Colombo through the development of the Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., the addition of the Hambantota Port will provide the company a platform to materialise synergies between the two major ports in Sri Lanka, unlocking the county’s potential to be a global maritime center.