Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port processed 7.25 million TEU in 2021, up nearly 6% from the previous year. According to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the growth of the country’s principal port has elevated Colombo to the world’s 22nd largest port (SLPA).
The SLPA’s chief, Prasantha Jayamanna said, the development was good, and that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked that the port’s ranking to be raised to within the top 15 by 2025. Volumes at the Colombo Port increased by 5.8% year on year, with transshipment volumes increasing by 4.2 percent to 5.85 million TEU.
SLPA terminals specifically saw a 5 per cent growth to 2.2 million TEU for the calendar year.
There are currently three container terminals at the Colombo Port — the Jaya container terminal (JCT) operated by the SLPA, the South Asian gateway terminal (SAGT), and Colombo international container terminal (CICT), which is operated and managed by China Merchants Port.
Earlier this year Colombo Port began phase two of its Eastern Terminal extension which will allow it to handle the largest container vessels.
Construction began on 12 January 2022 under the patronage of President H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa. This extension will see the length of the terminal increase to 1,320 metres.
The project is scheduled to be completed on 4 July 2022. Once completed, the facility will consist of 12 giant cranes and 40 normal cranes, to be supplied by China’s Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC). Ports Minister Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena has said the development will cost around $1 billion, set to be financed by local funds.
