Hambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed the one-million-TEU milestone in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of new quay cranes in 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of its container-handling operations.
HIP handled 428,036 TEUs in 2025 and a further 574,196 TEUs in 2026 year-to-date, taking cumulative throughput to 1,002,232 TEUs. The milestone reflects growing customer confidence and the port’s expanding role in regional and international container trade.
HIPG CEO Wilson Qu said the achievement demonstrated the progress made in developing Hambantota as a competitive container gateway. He attributed the growth to close engagement with shipping lines, operational reliability and the port’s ability to respond to changing customer requirements.
MSC, HIP’s principal container-sector customer, has played a significant role in the port’s growth. In April 2026, the MSC Marie Leslie set a new single-vessel handling record at HIP with 7,968 container moves, equivalent to 13,260 TEUs. This surpassed records previously set by the MSC Ilenia and MSC Ruby in March.
HIP also recorded its highest-ever monthly container throughput in June, handling 80,325 TEUs, supported by operational capacity and increased engagement with shipping lines amid disruptions affecting major global trade routes.
To accommodate continued growth, HIP is investing in additional equipment, berth capacity, container-yard infrastructure and reefer facilities. The expansion includes six new quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, forming part of a wider USD 108 million investment in container-handling machinery and supporting assets. The new equipment is expected to be commissioned by February 2027.
Once operational, the equipment will enhance ship-to-shore and yard-handling capacity, improve vessel turnaround and support the utilisation of an additional 1,300 metres of berth space, taking HIP’s total container quay length to nearly two kilometres. The container yard will also be expanded by 30%.
HIP Chief Operations Officer Tommy Yang said the investments were being aligned with customer demand and the port’s growth trajectory. The expanded equipment, berth, yard and reefer capacity is expected to enable HIP to handle higher volumes and larger vessels more efficiently.
The expansion programme is aimed at supporting HIP’s long-term target of handling two million TEUs annually, strengthening Hambantota’s position as an emerging regional container gateway.