The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has reported a strong rise in container handling volumes at the Port of Colombo during the first four months of 2026, highlighting the port’s continued importance as a major transshipment hub in South Asia.
According to SLPA, cumulative container throughput from January to April 2026 reached more than 2.91 million TEUs, marking a 13.9 percent increase compared to 2.56 million TEUs handled during the corresponding period in 2025.
The port also registered significant growth in April 2026 alone, handling 761,096 TEUs, up 22 percent year-on-year from April 2025 volumes.
The Port of Colombo continues to operate predominantly as a transshipment gateway, with transshipment cargo contributing over 80 percent of its total container operations. Its strategic location along the East-West maritime corridor continues to attract major mainline shipping services connecting Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In a further boost to the port’s long-term expansion plans, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority announced that it intends to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) before the end of 2026 for the second phase development of the West Container Terminal.
The proposed expansion project is expected to add more than 3 million TEUs to the port’s annual handling capacity, further strengthening Colombo’s competitiveness and positioning as a key maritime and logistics hub on the global East-West trade route.