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Colombo West International Terminal Tops 1 Million TEUs in First Year

An $800 million automated joint venture strengthened Colombo’s role as a transshipment hub.

Overview

  • The terminal opened in April 2025 as a partnership of APSEZ, John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
  • Operators report the first-year throughput marks the fastest ramp-up on record at the Port of Colombo.
  • The fully automated deep-water facility features a 1,400-metre quay, roughly 20-metre depth and about 3.2 million TEUs of annual capacity for ultra-large ships.
  • Industry assessments credit early alignment with major shipping lines and high berth productivity within an established transshipment network.
  • A large share of volumes are Indian-linked transshipment flows, reinforcing Colombo’s role on AsiaEurope routes while extending APSEZ’s overseas footprint.