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Bunker supplier Lanka Marine Services (Pvt.) Ltd. has revealed that it carried out a delivery of marine fuel during the launch of Hambantota port today.

Speaking to Bunker Index, Zafir Hashim, Chief Executive Officer, said that Lanka Marine supplied bunker fuel to the cargo vessel Seruvila - one of three vessels to arrive at Hambantota for the opening ceremony earlier today.

Hashim confirmed that fuel was delivered by road tank wagon to the Seruvila as the size of the requirement was relatively small.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the chief guest, who declared the harbour open saying that the arrival of the first ship at the Hambantota harbour marked the launch of a new location on the world naval map.

"I call upon and invite investors both local and foreign to help make this area into a trade zone like it was in the ancient past," Rajapaksa said.

The new port has been named Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa port. Magampura is an ancient name for Hambantota and Ruhunu Magampura translates as 'Golden gate of the Miracle'.

The Seruvila is reported to have entered the port with a Buddha Statue. The Ruhuna Pura arrived at the port carrying a load of cargo to be unloaded and a third vessel, Ruhunu Pura, is a cargo vessel owned by Master Divers (Pvt) Ltd, which is said to have been transporting goods to Hambantota today.

Commenting on the launch of Hambantota, Hashim said that the Sri Lanka Ports Development Authority had done 'a brilliant job' in ensuring that the project was finished ahead of schedule.

The China-financed Hambantota Port Development project, which commenced on January 15th 2008, was initially due to be completed by April 15th 2011, but has proceeded ahead of schedule despite reports in September 2008 that the project was facing suspension due to a cash flow crisis when project managers China Harbour-Sinohydro Consortium issued a letter to Sri Lanka's Ports and Aviation Minister, Chamal Rajapaksa, demanding payment.

The total cost of the first phase of the project is estimated at US$360 million, including US$76.5 million for the bunker terminal.

According to market sources, other vessels are scheduled to call at Hambantota 'during the next few weeks'.

Hashim commented that Lanka Marine was in the process of making the necessary logistical arrangements to ensure that the company was able to carry out future deliveries by barge.