- CWIT and ECT to increase capacity
- 2024 sees historic throughput of 7.8 m TEUs at C’bo Port
- SAGT, CICT reach new milestones, boosting port’s competitiveness
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) expects total throughput at the Colombo Port to surpass 9 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during 2025, comfortably surpassing the historic throughput figures of 7.8 million TEUs recorded in 2024.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLPA Chairman Admiral (Retd) Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe revealed that with the commencement of operations of the East Container Terminal (ECT) and the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in 2025, they anticipate the total throughput at Colombo Port to surpass 9 million TEUs, reaching close to 10 million TEUs.
He further stated: “By the end of February, the CWIT will commence limited functions. A 400 metre quay wall and associated yard area are being prepared, so I expect it to do about slightly less than 1 million TEUs per year. This could amount to around 700 million TEUs.”
Ranasinghe revealed that the ECT was also scheduled to commence operations in 2025 and that by end of the year it would be operating at least at 70% of its capacity, which would add around another 1.5 million TEUs to the Colombo Port.
Accordingly, he pointed out that considering that the total throughput at the Colombo Port had reached 7.8 million TEUs in 2024, and considering the over 2 million TEUs of additional capacity coming in with the commencement of operations of the ECT and CWIT, it was reasonable to expect the total throughput at the Colombo Port to reach close to 10 million TEUs in 2025.
According to statistics published by the SLPA, in 2024 the authority’s terminals had achieved their highest-ever throughput, reaching 2.4 million TEUs amidst competition.
The Colombo Port as a whole, with the other terminals therein, had managed to achieve a historic milestone with a total throughput of 7.8 million TEUs, reinforcing its position as a key maritime hub in the Indian Ocean, supporting trade and regional economic growth.
While the South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) had handled 2 million TEUs, the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) had managed to achieve 2.4 million TEUs, securing its place as the top terminal with fully-fledged deep-water facilities at the Port of Colombo.
“This record throughput coincides with ongoing infrastructure developments aimed at enhancing the port’s capacity. The Colombo ECT, which is currently operating on a partial basis, has already improved the port’s handling capabilities.
“The terminal is expected to become fully operational later this year, offering a substantial boost to efficiency. Additionally, the newly constructed CWIT is set to commence the first phase of operations within the same period, providing additional capacity to meet growing demand,” the SLPA stated.