Colombo West International Terminal Hits Two Million Containers in 18 Months, a Port of Colombo Speed Record
The deep-water container terminal at the Port of Colombo, with gantry cranes and container vessels. Photograph: NewsDive.
Sri Lanka’s Colombo West International Terminal (Private) Limited (CWIT) has handled two million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) within 18 months of beginning operations, setting a new speed record for a terminal at the Port of Colombo. The milestone reflects the facility’s rapid growth and adds to the port’s capacity to serve the international shipping routes that connect South Asia with markets around the world.
A TEU is the standard unit used to measure container-handling volumes, based on a container measuring 20 feet in length. The figure is therefore a measure of throughput, rather than a count of individual containers of varying sizes.
CWIT had previously reached one million TEUs in 11 months. It then doubled that throughput in a further six months, reaching the two-million mark within the first 18 months of operations. According to NewsDive’s report, the terminal attributes this pace to customer trust and operational performance, as well as Colombo’s potential as a transshipment hub on a busy global maritime corridor.
A milestone and the start of Phase II
The achievement was celebrated at an event hosted on 30 September at Cinnamon Life Colombo under the theme “Mission Meets Velocity”. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), and Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of John Keells Group, attended, alongside representatives of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other organisations.
The event also marked the commencement of commercial operations for Phase II of the terminal. The expansion is intended to double CWIT’s annual handling capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs. The increased capacity forms part of the terminal’s stated ambition to manage nearly a quarter of the Port of Colombo’s target of 13 million TEUs by 2028.
For the port, the new phase represents a significant increase in the volume of container cargo it can handle through CWIT. Greater capacity can help provide shipping operators with additional options at Colombo, while supporting the movement of goods between international routes and regional markets. The practical value of that capacity will depend, as with any port expansion, on its ability to attract cargo and maintain reliable operations.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the milestone demonstrated how strategic partnerships and modern infrastructure can support Sri Lanka’s economic progress. Her remarks addressed the investment’s potential to generate employment, attract international trade and strengthen competitiveness.
Ashwani Gupta described the expanded capacity as a vote of confidence in Colombo’s strategic relevance to Indian Ocean trade routes. Krishan Balendra, meanwhile, highlighted the partnership’s contribution to Colombo’s regional transshipment role and the potential to support wider economic growth. Their comments placed the terminal’s growth in the context of trade, employment and port capability.
Infrastructure built for large vessels
CWIT was developed through a collaboration involving APSEZ, John Keells Holdings PLC and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Its infrastructure includes a 1,400-metre quay and water depth of 20 metres, features designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest container vessels.
Deep water and extensive quay facilities are important elements in serving modern shipping. As vessels and cargo volumes grow, terminals need suitable berthing space, equipment and operational systems to handle ships safely and efficiently. CWIT’s Phase II expansion is intended to add capacity to that infrastructure and strengthen the terminal’s ability to manage larger volumes.
The terminal’s progress is significant for Sri Lankan exporters and importers because maritime connections are integral to the movement of goods into and out of the country. Additional terminal capacity can contribute to the port’s ability to accommodate cargo demand, although the benefits for individual businesses will also depend on shipping schedules, service reliability, logistics costs and connections beyond the port.
Colombo’s role in transshipment is also relevant: cargo can be transferred between vessels there as part of journeys to and from other regional destinations. As a result, the port’s performance matters not only to companies moving goods directly to or from Sri Lanka, but also to the wider network of shipping services that use Colombo as a connecting point.
Sri Lankan expertise, safety and lower-emission operations
The two-million-TEU milestone has been achieved alongside an emphasis on the terminal’s workforce. CWIT says the skills and contribution of Sri Lankan employees have been central to its operational performance, with training and professional development supporting specialised work in terminal operations and logistics.
The terminal has recorded 17 million safe working hours and has become the first container terminal in Sri Lanka to receive Great Place to Work certification. These are notable workforce-related milestones within a highly operational environment where safety, coordination and technical expertise are fundamental to the movement of cargo.
CWIT also uses fully electrified equipment and electric internal terminal vehicles, supporting lower-emission cargo handling. The introduction of the region’s tallest electric cranes is expected in 2026, according to the source report. The cranes are part of the terminal’s planned equipment development as capacity expands.
AI-generated illustration of a container terminal at golden hour, based on the NewsDive source photograph. It is illustrative and does not depict an additional verified scene at CWIT.
What the achievement means beyond the port
CWIT Chief Executive Officer Munish Kanwar said: “Achieving two million TEUs in such a short time is an outstanding milestone and a testament to the confidence our customers have in CWIT. This accomplishment demonstrates the potential that can be realized when advanced infrastructure, technology, operational discipline, and exceptional Sri Lankan talent collaborate towards a shared goal.”
The terminal’s new throughput record and the start of Phase II offer a positive measure of Sri Lanka’s developing maritime capacity. They also highlight the combination of infrastructure, technology, partnerships and local skills involved in operating a modern container terminal. For exporters and importers, increased port capacity can support the movement of goods; for workers, expansion and day-to-day terminal activity form part of a broader employment landscape linked to shipping and logistics.
For Sri Lankans living abroad who follow the country’s trade performance, the milestone provides a clear snapshot of activity at one of the island’s key maritime gateways. Continued investment in port capacity, alongside consistent service and skilled local employment, will be instrumental in turning expanded infrastructure into lasting value for Sri Lankan businesses and the wider economy.
Further Sri Lankan community news and updates are available through eLanka’s news and articles.
Sources: NewsDive and Colombo West International Terminal (Private) Limited.
This article was written based on the source https://newsdive.net/2026/10/12/cwit-achieves-milestone-of-two-million-containers-at-port-of-colombo-setting-new-speed-record/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you’d like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly.
Thanks.
eLanka team
eLanka Disclaimer
Content published on eLanka may be created by the eLanka team, submitted by contributors or third parties, reproduced or adapted from other sources with appropriate source acknowledgement, or provided as promotional/advertising material by our clients. While eLanka takes reasonable care in preparing and publishing content, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Views expressed are those of the respective authors or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of eLanka. Third-party contributors, content providers and advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of material they supply and for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for its publication. Advertising and promotional content should not be regarded as an endorsement by eLanka of any product, service or claim.
