Sri Lanka Ports Authority targets full operations at ECT, WCT by end-2026
The Morning: The East Container Terminal (ECT) and West Container Terminal I (WCT I) are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLPA Chairman Admiral (Retd) Sirimevan Ranasinghe revealed that, notwithstanding the fact that construction work at both the ECT and WCT I was still ongoing, the terminals had already commenced partial operations and were each handling around 600,000 TEUs per year.
He further stated that once fully operational, each terminal was expected to handle approximately 3 million TEUs annually.
“Both terminals are operating, while construction is ongoing. They are not fully operational but rather partially operational,” he stated.
Commenting on the ECT, Admiral Ranasinghe stated that the terminal had initially commenced partial operations some time ago but was subsequently forced to halt operations for various reasons. Partial operations then recommenced in September or October 2024.
Regarding the progress of construction, he noted that significant advances had been made and that, by the end of this month, the ECT would have a quay wall extending nearly 1 km, with only approximately 300 m remaining to be completed.
He further revealed that the ECT had already brought in all the cranes required for its operations. In contrast, WCT I is still in the process of procuring some of its equipment, with the remaining machinery scheduled to be brought down next year in accordance with the work programme.
The SLPA Chairman further stated that construction work on the quay wall at the WCT I was nearly complete.
He added that while the ECT and WCT I were scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of 2027, both terminals were expected to be ready to begin operations by the end of 2026.
“Both terminals are trying to finish their work by the end of next year. Even though the schedule is for [operations to commence in] the first quarter of 2027, they are trying to get it done by end-2026.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s maritime industry is a fast expanding industry with the country targeting on becoming a maritime hub. The country’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean in close proximity to international maritime lanes and the strong trade ties enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries and the further strengthening of ties to cover more countries have also helped boost the country’s maritime industry. Sri Lanka’s expanding maritime industry has opened many business/investment opportunities, especially in the ports, shipping and logistics sectors. These opportunities are also manifold and range from the development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure facilities required to meet the growing demand of the maritime industry to the provision of technological developments to be on par with the fast-evolving global standards and technical expertise. The Sri Lankan government has also taken steps to further develop and expand facilities of Ports in many parts of the country apart from Colombo. All these factors indicate the increasing business potential in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors. Given these developments, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry and related sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20251216/Z_2 |