Sri Lanka seeks shipping partnerships for East Container Terminal

Sri Lanka is seeking partnerships with international shipping companies to enhance the capabilities of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Port of Colombo. Port Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that five to six prominent shipping lines have already expressed interest in the project. Following cabinet approval, the government intends to issue a call for expressions of interest, aiming to finalize arrangements in the first half of next year.

The ECT is a significant deep-water project designed to accommodate Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). Once fully developed, the terminal is expected to feature a 1,320-meter quay wall and a water depth of 18 to 20 meters. The project aims to increase the terminal's annual capacity to between 2.4 million and 3 million TEUs, which would push the Port of Colombo’s total capacity beyond 7 million TEUs.

While the project represents a strategic effort to bolster Sri Lanka’s position as an Indian Ocean transshipment hub, it has faced challenges. Total investment for the ECT is estimated between $500 million and $600 million. Some reports indicate that the terminal's full potential has been hindered by delays in equipment procurement and institutional inertia.