The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Terminals reached a historic milestone by handling over 2.4 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) as of December 31, 2024. This marks an impressive 23% growth from the 1.9 million TEUs handled in 2023, making SLPA Terminals the highest growth contributor within the Port of Colombo.
This achievement highlights SLPA Terminals’ ability to accommodate some of the world’s largest vessels at East Container Terminal (ECT), including ships over 400 meters in length and with capacities exceeding 23,000 TEUs. These advancements affirm the terminal’s global standing and its growing role in international shipping.
On a larger scale, the Port of Colombo reached an all-time high of 7.7 million TEUs in 2024, reflecting a 12.3% increase from the previous year. This solidifies Colombo’s position as a pivotal maritime hub in South Asia, attracting more global shipping lines.
Key developments include the upcoming commencement of operations at the Colombo West International Container Terminal (CWICT) in February 2025, and ongoing work at the semi-automated ECT terminal, which is expected to increase service offerings and capacity in 2025. With projected capacity to double to 15 million TEUs by 2026, these advancements underscore the port’s strategic position to support global trade.
In 2024, the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) managed 3.3 million TEUs, while the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) handled 2.0 million TEUs, demonstrating the comprehensive handling capabilities of the Port of Colombo.
These record-breaking accomplishments and infrastructure enhancements reflect SLPA’s commitment to operational excellence and its ambition to position the Port of Colombo as a leading player in the global shipping and logistics sector.