Colombo Port expects 6.5 million TEU expansion
The Morning: Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port is expected to see an expansion of its container throughput by 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2026, with the inclusion of the West Container Terminal (WCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT) into service, and the expansion of the JCT-5 terminal, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said in parliament recently.
“We know that we expect to include both the Western and Eastern terminals into service this year. From the West [Container] Terminal (WCT) we expect a capacity of 3 million [TEUs], and another 3 million [TEUs] in capacity from the East [Container] Terminal, added to the overall capacity of the Port. In total, we expect a 14 million TEU capacity added to the Port’s overall capacity this year, from these two terminals,” Kodithuwakku said, referring solely to the two main terminals.
“Further we are increasing the yard capacity of the JCT 5 terminal by 400,000, which is to contribute to a 0.5 million increase in [TEU] capacity of the terminal. By the end of the year, the Port’s total capacity is to be close to 15 million.”
The Port of Colombo recorded a container throughput of 8.2 million TEUs in 2025, up by 6.2% from the volume handled in 2024, which was 7.7 million TEUs. Last year’s volumes handled were considered the highest ever recorded in local history, notably amidst unprecedented volatility within global trade.
During this period, global shipping had been undergoing continued adjustments in shipping networks, including route realignments, fleet expansion and cost pressures. “For the first time in history, we were able to exceed 8 million TEUs last year. We expect to continue with this capacity and make additions to this capacity.”
According to a report tabled in Parliament last year in March, the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation said that total container handling is expected to cross 10.57 million TEUs by 2030 with transhipment handling at 8.70 million TEUs.
With the WCT in operation, the report anticipates that the terminal alone would add 3.5 million TEUs to the Port by the first quarter of 2026. Similarly, the ECT is anticipated to handle 3.2 million to 3.5 million TEUs, at its full capacity.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s maritime industry has been on a steady growth path through the years with potential for further growth as highlighted by the Colombo Port’s expectation of expansion in its container throughput this year. Given Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean close to international maritime lanes, the strong trade ties enjoyed by the country with many foreign countries and the target of becoming a maritime hub in the South Asian region have all helped boost the local maritime industry and related sectors like ports, shipping and logistics. Sri Lankan authorities are currently engaged in developing and expanding capacity of all sectors in the country’s maritime industry. These developments have resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors. The Sri Lankan government is also focused on development programmes targeting the ports, shipping and logistics sectors. With the steady growth and increasing business potential in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the growing business/investment opportunities in the industry. Foreign businesses could also look at expanding operations in the maritime industry through local collaborations.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260211/Z_1 |