Colombo Dockyard PLC Drives Maritime Innovation in Sri Lanka
Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), a leading heavy engineering and shipbuilding company in Sri Lanka, is reshaping the regional maritime landscape through its Strategic Growth and Innovation Programme (SGIP). With over 50 years of experience, the state-linked dockyard has evolved beyond traditional ship repair and construction, establishing itself as a specialized engineering solutions provider with a growing international presence, particularly in the Maldives.
CDPLC’s recent strategic shift focuses on high-value projects, particularly in specialized marine infrastructure. This includes a foray into underwater structures, a complex and capital-intensive segment that has seen limited activity in South Asia. By diversifying its revenue streams, CDPLC is not only enhancing its business portfolio but also bolstering Sri Lanka’s reputation in advanced marine engineering.
Milestones in Underwater Construction
A significant milestone for CDPLC was the completion of an underwater restaurant for the “You and Me” resort in the Maldives in 2018. This project showcased the dockyard’s capability to deliver intricate, customized structures while adhering to stringent environmental and safety standards. Following this success, CDPLC completed a 50-seat underwater restaurant for the OBLU Resort in Ailafushi in 2022, marking it as the largest of its kind in the Maldives at that time.
In 2025, CDPLC further solidified its position in the underwater construction market by delivering two additional structures, including galleries and restaurants for luxury resorts in the Maldives. Among these was the “Bubble Underwater Restaurant,” a 12-seater attraction that opened in December 2025, contributing to the Maldives’ expanding luxury tourism infrastructure.
The economic impact of these projects is substantial. Export-oriented engineering initiatives not only generate foreign exchange but also sustain high-skilled employment in Sri Lanka. Additionally, these projects create backward linkages across various sectors, including steel fabrication, logistics, design engineering, and marine installation services.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the promising expansion under SGIP, CDPLC faces significant challenges. Large-scale overseas projects require considerable upfront capital and extended timelines, exposing the dockyard to foreign market volatility. Any delays or cost overruns could jeopardize the financial stability of the dockyard, particularly given its public-sector ownership structure.
Nevertheless, CDPLC’s venture into underwater construction represents a broader opportunity for Sri Lanka to ascend the maritime value chain. If managed effectively, the diversification of shipbuilding and engineering services could catalyze long-term industrial growth, enhance technological capabilities, and improve regional competitiveness in the global maritime economy. As CDPLC continues to innovate and expand, its role in transforming Sri Lanka’s maritime sector remains pivotal.
