Adani Ports' Colombo Terminal Doubles Capacity To 3.2 Million TEUs, Total Investment Reaches $750 Million

Mumbai - Adani Ports' Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) has significantly expanded its capacity, capable of handling 3.2 million TEUs, following its Phase II development. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated this expansion on Thursday.

The terminal's total investment has reached $750 million, doubling its capacity from 1.6 million TEUs to the new 3.2 million TEUs. This expansion bolsters Colombo's standing as a crucial transshipment hub on the East-West trade route. The CWIT aims to handle approximately 25% of the Port of Colombo's targeted capacity of 13 million TEUs by 2028.

With the added capacity, CWIT can simultaneously accommodate three ultra-large container vessels. This terminal is Sri Lanka's first fully automated deep-water container terminal, designed to handle some of the world's largest container ships. It operates using fully electrified processes, resulting in zero tailpipe emissions.

CWIT has already handled 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months of operation, a significant milestone. This surpasses the 1 million TEUs handled in its inaugural year of operations in 2024. Ashwani Gupta, APSEZ Whole-Time Director and CEO, stated that the expansion enhances the company's international portfolio and presence in key Indian Ocean trade routes.

The expanded terminal supports both transshipment operations and Sri Lanka's export-import cargo. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) generated over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs through this project. The terminal has recorded 17 million safe working hours, according to the company.