Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Colombo West Terminal Doubles Capacity After $750 Million Expansion
Sri Lanka expanded a large container terminal in Colombo.
The project is described as involving a total investment of $750 million.
The expansion doubles the terminal’s capacity to 3.2 million container units, called TEUs.
The terminal had already handled 2 million TEUs in its first 18 months.
It can now berth three very large container ships at the same time.
The terminal uses automated and electric equipment and has zero tailpipe emissions.
The project has created more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Sri Lankan officials and company leaders hope it will make Colombo an even more important trade hub.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated the Colombo West International Terminal expansion on Thursday.
The expansion doubles the terminal’s capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs.
CWIT aims to handle nearly 25% of the Port of Colombo’s 13 million-TEU target by 2028.
The terminal handled 2 million TEUs during its first 18 months, after reaching 1 million TEUs in 2024.
The expanded terminal can berth three ultra-large container vessels simultaneously and has generated more than 3,000 jobs.
- Who
- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated the expansion, involving Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, John Keells Holdings, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
- What
- The Colombo West International Terminal’s Phase II expansion doubled capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs.
- When
- The expansion was inaugurated on Thursday; the terminal reached 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months of operation.
- Where
- At the Colombo West International Terminal in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The expansion is intended to increase transshipment capacity, support Sri Lankan export-import cargo, attract commerce, create jobs, and strengthen Colombo’s role on the East-West trade route.
- Investment
- The expansion and terminal development are reported as involving total investment of USD 750 million.
- Capacity
- Increased from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs.
- Port target
- CWIT aims to handle nearly 25% of the Port of Colombo’s 13 million-TEU target by 2028.
- Operating milestone
- Handled 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months, after handling 1 million TEUs in 2024.
- Vessel capacity
- Can berth three ultra-large container vessels simultaneously.
- Employment
- More than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs have been generated.
- Operations
- Sri Lanka’s first fully automated deep-water container terminal, with fully electrified operations and zero tailpipe emissions.
- Concession
- Developed by APSEZ with partners under a 35-year build-operate-transfer concession.
Sources
Adani Ports' Colombo West International Terminal Doubles Capacity With $750 Million Investment
Adani Ports' Colombo Terminal Doubles Capacity To 3.2 Million TEUs, Total Investment Reaches $750 Million
APSEZ's Colombo West International Terminal Doubles Capacity To 3.2 million TEUs with Total USD 750 Million Investment
