The arrival of the MSC Mariella, one of the world’s largest container ships, at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) marked a critical test of Sri Lanka’s port infrastructure amid fierce regional competition.

The 399.9-metre-long vessel, with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units), is the biggest to ever dock in Colombo, demonstrating the port’s ability to accommodate ultra-large container ships (ULCVs).

Colombo, handling over seven million TEUs annually, is South Asia’s largest transshipment hub, but has faced declining volumes due to India’s push for self-reliance in port capacity and shipping route shifts post-Red Sea crisis.

The successful berthing of the MSC Mariella, part of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) fleet, validates Colombo’s deep-water capabilities.

The Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT), operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), is equipped with Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes capable of handling ULCVs.

However, Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), a China-backed deep-water terminal, has historically handled the largest vessels.

Sri Lanka’s ports contribute 6% to GDP, with transshipment accounting for 70% of Colombo’s volumes, mostly Indian cargo. However, India’s Vizhinjam Port, set to open in late 2025, threatens to divert traffic.