# Sri Lanka Colombo and Hambantota port capacity expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lanka-colombo-port-capacity-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-21T04:00:32.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 5.

Sri Lanka is expanding its maritime infrastructure through significant capacity increases at its major ports. The Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), a partnership between Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, John Keells Holdings, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, has doubled its annual capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) following a US$750 million investment. As the country’s first fully automated container terminal, CWIT is positioned to support the Port of Colombo’s broader goal of reaching 13 million TEUs annually by 2028.

In addition to developments in Colombo, the Hambantota International Port (HIP) has reached a milestone by surpassing one million TEUs in cumulative container throughput. Supported by its principal customer, MSC, HIP has seen increased activity, handling 428,036 TEUs in 2025 and 574,196 TEUs during the first half of 2026. The port is currently investing in new quay cranes, berths, and yard space to facilitate continued growth.

However, recent developments indicate setbacks in specific logistics projects. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and its partners have agreed to terminate the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACLH) project, a planned logistics complex at the Port of Colombo. The joint venture, which included China Merchants Port Holdings with a 70% stake, was ended due to “external circumstances, commercial considerations, and the implementation environment.” Under the settlement, the SLPA will pay approximately US$21.9 million to the project company. Despite this cancellation, the SLPA intends to pursue a new logistics hub through a competitive Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: China Merchants Port withdraws from Colombo logistics hub project

China Merchants Port has exited a joint venture to develop a logistics hub at Colombo Port. The SLPA will now seek new investors through a competitive public-private partnership bidding process.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-merchants-port-withdraws-from-colombo-logistics-hub-project

### 2026-10-19: Colombo Port logistics hub project terminated by partners

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchants Port Holdings have terminated a planned logistics hub project at the Port of Colombo, citing commercial and external circumstances.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombo-port-logistics-hub-project-terminated-by-partners

### 2026-10-03: Sri Lankan ports expand capacity as Colombo and Hambantota hit major milestones

Sri Lanka's maritime sector is expanding, with Colombo West International Terminal doubling its capacity to 3.2 million TEUs and Hambantota International Port surpassing the one million TEU milestone.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lankan-ports-expand-capacity-as-colombo-and-hambantota-hit-major-milestones

### 2026-10-02: Adani Ports reports 15% cargo growth and expands Sri Lankan terminal

Adani Ports reported a 15% increase in H1 FY27 cargo volumes to 280 MMT and announced a capacity doubling at the Colombo West International Terminal in Sri Lanka.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adani-ports-reports-15-cargo-growth-and-expands-sri-lankan-terminal

### 2026-09-28: Sri Lanka seeks shipping partnerships for East Container Terminal

Sri Lanka is pursuing partnerships with international shipping lines to develop the East Container Terminal in Colombo, aiming to boost transshipment capacity despite previous procurement delays.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lanka-seeks-shipping-partnerships-for-east-container-terminal

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Cite as: Sri Lanka Colombo and Hambantota port capacity expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lanka-colombo-port-capacity-expansion