South Asian ports target capacity gains as cargo volumes rise

India's Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata aims to handle about 74 million tonnes of cargo this fiscal year, up from 71 MT last year. Daily container handling is expected to increase to roughly 3,000, supported by new public‑private partnership terminals at Kidderpore and plans for additional berths and a cement bulk terminal. Operators such as Century Ports Ltd and JSW Infrastructure are set to expand capacity at both the Kolkata Dock System and the Haldia Dock Complex.

Sri Lanka's Port of Colombo reported a 13.5 % increase in container throughput during the first five months of 2026, moving 3.7 million TEUs, driven largely by transshipment traffic which accounted for about 84.5 % of the volume. While growth reflects strong regional demand, analysts warn that heavy reliance on transshipment and limited hinterland connectivity could expose the hub to competitive pressures from neighboring ports, especially in India. Ongoing investments in infrastructure, digitalisation, and ancillary services aim to sustain the port’s market leadership.