The Port of Colombo has set a new benchmark in 2024, achieving a record throughput of 7,782,776 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking the highest performance in its history. This milestone underscores the port’s critical position as a leading maritime hub in the Indian Ocean, facilitating trade and enhancing regional economic activity.
Among the total throughput, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) played a pivotal role, handling 2,413,012 TEUs, even as ongoing construction at various terminals continued. The South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) managed 2,018,739 TEUs, while the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) took the lead, contributing 3,351,025 TEUs. This solidies CICT’s position as the top terminal at the Port of Colombo, equipped with advanced deep-water facilities.
The record performance comes amid signicant infrastructure developments aimed at increasing the port’s capacity. The Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT), currently operating partially, has already enhanced handling capabilities and is expected to become fully operational later this year. Additionally, the West International Container Terminal (WICT), set to commence its rst phase of operations in 2024, will provide much-needed
additional capacity.
The 2024 data shows considerable growth compared to 2023, with all major terminals, including SLPA, SAGT, and CICT, improving their performance. This enhanced operational efciency, alongside better resource utilization, ensures that the Port of Colombo remains a crucial transshipment hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. With these upgrades, the port is poised to handle rising demand and strengthen its role in global trade.
The Port of Colombo, located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, has long been a crucial hub for international maritime trade, serving as one of the busiest ports in South Asia. Its strategic location along the vital East-West shipping route places it at the crossroads of global trade, facilitating maritime trafc between the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The port’s container business began to take off in the late 20th century, particularly with the advent of containerization, which revolutionized global shipping and trade logistics. In 1972, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was established, and over the years, it played a pivotal role in modernizing the port’s facilities and infrastructure.
The Port of Colombo transitioned into a transshipment hub, handling cargo not only from Sri Lanka but also from neighboring countries, including India and Bangladesh. The port’s development into a containerized facility, alongside the rapid expansion of its terminal capacity, helped it achieve a competitive edge in regional trade.
The container business at the Port of Colombo reached new heights in the early 2000s, with the construction of state-of-the-art terminals like the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), and the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT). The involvement of international players such as China’s COSCO Shipping Ports at CICT further enhanced the port’s operational efciency, expanding its capacity and improving the quality of services offered to global shipping lines.
The strategic importance of the port has only grown with time, and its ability to handle ever-increasing volumes of transshipment cargo has solidied its position as a key player in the region. The port’s infrastructure continues to evolve, with ongoing projects like the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) and the West International Container Terminal (WICT), aiming to increase its capacity and maintain its competitive position as one of the
leading container ports in the world. The Port of Colombo’s steady growth reects its resilience and adaptability to changing global trade dynamics, positioning it as a key maritime gateway for the South Asian region.
