The Muthurajawela aviation fuel project will add 92,000 cubic metres of storage and a dedicated pipeline to Bandaranaike International Airport.
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved the award of a major aviation fuel infrastructure contract to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited to build a 92,000-cubic-metre storage complex at Muthurajawela and a dedicated pipeline to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
The contract is valued at US$40.84 million plus Rs. 8,548.75 million, inclusive of taxes, according to the Cabinet decision.
Approval was granted following an international competitive procurement process that attracted three bids.
After evaluating the submissions, the High-Level Procurement Committee recommended China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited as the substantially responsive bidder. Cabinet subsequently approved a proposal by the Minister of Energy to award the contract to the company.
92,000-Cubic-Metre Jet Fuel Storage Complex
The project will establish a new aviation fuel storage tank complex at Muthurajawela with a total capacity of 92,000 cubic metres, together with associated infrastructure.
A dedicated pipeline will connect the storage complex directly to the aircraft refuelling terminal at BIA in Katunayake.
The project also covers modifications and upgrades required at the existing Muthurajawela terminal to accommodate the new system.
Technical documentation published by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation provides further detail on the planned infrastructure. It specifies five Jet A-1 storage tanks with a combined capacity of 92,000 cubic metres and a dedicated 10-inch underground pipeline to the aviation fuelling terminal at BIA.
The tank configuration comprises two 30,000-cubic-metre tanks, two 15,000-cubic-metre tanks and one 2,000-cubic-metre tank. The broader scope also includes pumping, filtration, piping, instrumentation, leak-detection, fire-fighting and other supporting systems.
Project Approved in 2024
Cabinet initially gave approval for the project at its meeting on July 29, 2024, paving the way for the competitive procurement process.
Three bids were subsequently submitted and evaluated before the High-Level Procurement Committee made its recommendation.
The latest Cabinet decision authorises the contract award and moves the project into its next stage of implementation.
The new infrastructure is intended to establish a dedicated aviation fuel connection between Muthurajawela and Sri Lanka’s main international airport, strengthening storage and transportation capacity for Jet A-1 fuel.
