APSEZ doubles Colombo terminal capacity to 3.2M TEUs

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday inaugurated the $750 million Phase II expansion of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s (APSEZ) Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), effectively doubling the terminal’s capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs.

The expansion advances CWIT’s target to process nearly 25 per cent of the Port of Colombo’s projected 13 million TEU capacity by 2028.

 The development follows a major operational milestone for CWIT, which handled 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months—building on its initial benchmark as the fastest terminal to reach 1 million TEUs within its inaugural year in 2024. “Reaching 2 million TEUs in record time and commencing Phase II today is not just a milestone for the Port of Colombo, but a milestone for our nation’s economic future,” Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated, emphasizing the terminal’s role in creating jobs and strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a primary Indian Ocean maritime hub. 

CWIT will now be capable of simultaneously berthing three ultra-large container vessels. APSEZ  Director Ashwani Gupta highlighted that the investment serves as a strong statement of 
confidence from global shipping lines.

Developed jointly with John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, CWIT operates as Sri Lanka’s first fully automated deep-water container terminal, featuring fully electrified operations with zero tailpipe emissions alongside 17 million safe working hours logged to date.