Adani’s Colombo Terminal starts operations
Daily FT: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport utility, on 7 April announced the commencement of operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), located at the Port of Colombo.
Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, the CWIT is operated by a consortium comprising India’s largest port operator APSEZ, leading Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), under a 35-year Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement.
The CWIT project represents a significant investment of $ 800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay length and 20-metre depth, enabling the terminal to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. It is the first deep-water terminal in Colombo to be fully automated, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities, improve vessel turnaround times, and elevate the Port’s status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia.
Construction began in early 2022 and has since achieved rapid progress. With the installation of cutting-edge infrastructure now nearing completion, the CWIT is poised to set new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability in regional maritime logistics.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said: “The commencement of operations at the CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map.”
“The CWIT project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally and unlock immense economic value for the island nation. It also stands as a shining example of the deep-rooted friendship and growing strategic ties between the two neighbours, and of what can be achieved through visionary public-private partnerships. Delivering this world-class facility in record time also reflects the Adani Group’s proven ability to efficiently execute large-scale critical infrastructure projects anywhere in the world,” the Chairman added.
JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said: “We are proud to see the progress in the development of the CWIT, a project that strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub. This project is one of JKH’s largest investments and is among the most significant private sector investments in Sri Lanka. Together with the SLPA and the Adani Group, we will elevate Colombo’s status as a leading transshipment hub. We are confident that the project will enhance global trade and connectivity in the region.”
OSL take:
The commencement of operations of the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port through the CWIT shows the increasing growth and business potential in the country’s maritime industry. The steady growth in the maritime industry and related sectors is attributed to Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean in close proximity to international shipping lanes and the strong trade ties enjoyed by the country with many foreign countries. The increasing activities in the maritime industry and related sectors like ports, shipping and logistics have opened up a host of business/investment opportunities. The increased interest of foreign businesses in the maritime industry to explore opportunities in the local industry while some others are expanding their operations already in place in the industry are indicative of the lucrative nature of businesses in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors. Other foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore the growing opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors that are manifold.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250409/Z_4 |