Sri Lanka is positioning Hambantota Port as a node in global maritime trade with a new $ 106 million equipment procurement deal which is to add one million TEUs of handling capacity amid rising disruptions to major shipping routes, a Government statement quoting Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said Yesterday (26).
The agreement between Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) will supply advanced quay cranes and rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs), significantly enhancing the port’s competitiveness as regional shipping lines seek to diversify operations away from congested and volatile chokepoints, Karunathilaka was quoted as saying.
“At a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by uncertainty, particularly in the Middle East, disruptions around key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal have highlighted the urgent need for resilience, reliability, and diversification in global shipping and logistics networks,” Karunathilaka said.
He also emphasised that Hambantota Port’s strategic location, just a few nautical miles from the world’s busiest East-West shipping route, positions Sri Lanka to offer a secure alternative for cargo handling, vessel servicing, and logistics operations. “As global shipping lines seek to mitigate risks and diversify their operations, Sri Lanka presents itself as a secure and reliable alternative for cargo handling, vessel servicing, and logistics operations,” he said, adding that the country is ready to accommodate increased volumes and ensure faster turnaround times.
According to Karunathilaka, 2025 performance figures underscore the port’s growth trajectory: 8.24 million tons in total throughput, 724,000 units in roll-on/roll-off (RORO) operations securing a leading regional position, and 428,000 TEUs in container operations. He noted that Hambantota’s first operational factory within its industrial park generated approximately 1,000 containers in its inaugural year, reflecting the site’s emergence as an industrial and logistics hub.
Beyond transshipment, the Minister outlined a vision for Sri Lanka to develop into a comprehensive marine services hub, encompassing bunkering, ship repairs, crew changes, and logistics support. He called for stronger strategic partnerships to enhance capacity, service reliability, and operational efficiency, while advancing technological innovation and human capital development.
He also highlighted the project’s environmental significance, noting that the introduction of electric RTGs aligns with Sri Lanka’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative. He framed the investment as reinforcing Sri Lanka-China cooperation, supporting national economic transformation, and strengthening supply chain resilience in the face of global uncertainties.
“Sri Lanka stands ready, not to capitalise on the crisis, but to contribute to global stability by ensuring that trade flows remain uninterrupted, efficient, and secure,” Minister Karunathilaka concluded.