Colombo Dockyard Drives Maritime Innovation in Sri Lanka
Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), a key player in Sri Lanka’s heavy engineering and shipbuilding sector, is reshaping the regional maritime landscape through its Strategic Growth and Innovation Programme (SGIP). With over 50 years of experience, the dockyard is expanding its reach beyond traditional ship repair and construction, focusing on specialized marine infrastructure, particularly in the Maldives. This strategic pivot not only diversifies its revenue but also enhances Sri Lanka’s standing in advanced marine engineering.
Innovative Projects Transforming the Maritime Sector
Historically recognized for its shipbuilding and repair capabilities, CDPLC is now venturing into the complex realm of underwater structures. This shift marks a significant transition towards higher-value projects that are both technically challenging and capital-intensive, a move rarely seen in South Asia. Under the SGIP, the dockyard has successfully completed several landmark projects that showcase its engineering prowess.
One of the most notable achievements was the construction of an underwater restaurant for the “You and Me” resort in the Maldives, completed in 2018. This project not only highlighted CDPLC’s ability to meet stringent environmental and safety standards but also set a precedent for future endeavors. Following this success, the dockyard delivered a 50-seat underwater restaurant for the OBLU Resort in Ailafushi in 2022, which was the largest of its kind in the Maldives at that time.
Continuing its momentum, CDPLC further solidified its position in 2025 by completing two additional underwater structures, including the “Bubble Underwater Restaurant,” a 12-seater attraction that opened in December 2025. These projects contribute significantly to the Maldives’ luxury tourism infrastructure, enhancing the region’s appeal to high-end travelers.
Economic Impact and Future Challenges
The economic ramifications of CDPLC’s expansion into underwater construction are profound. These export-oriented engineering projects not only generate foreign exchange but also create high-skilled employment opportunities, reducing Sri Lanka’s dependence on traditional maritime services. Furthermore, they foster backward linkages across various sectors, including steel fabrication, logistics, design engineering, and marine installation services.
However, the ambitious SGIP-driven expansion is not without its challenges. Large-scale overseas projects require substantial upfront investment, extended timelines, and exposure to fluctuations in foreign markets. Any delays or cost overruns could jeopardize the dockyard’s financial stability, particularly given its public-sector ownership structure.
Colombo Dockyard PLC’s SGIP Revolutionizes Maritime Engineering
Despite these risks, CDPLC’s foray into underwater construction underscores a significant industrial opportunity for Sri Lanka. By advancing up the maritime value chain, the dockyard could catalyze long-term industrial growth, enhance technological capabilities, and boost regional competitiveness in the global maritime economy, provided these initiatives are managed with prudence and foresight.
