The Port of Colombo reached a historic milestone in 2025, recording a total container throughput of 8,291,178 TEUs, the highest volume ever handled in its history. This achievement builds on the strong performance of 2024, when the port processed 7,792,069 TEUs, and firmly reinforces Colombo’s position as the leading container hub in South Asia. The year-on-year growth reflects disciplined investment, operational resilience, and sustained confidence from global shipping lines, despite uneven international trade conditions and ongoing recalibration across global freight networks.
This record performance was driven by coordinated efforts across all terminals operating within the port. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) terminals continued to provide scale and stability, handling a substantial share of volumes while supporting both mainline and feeder services. Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) maintained its role as a deep-water gateway for ultra-large container vessels, supported by strong berth productivity and consistent yard operations. South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) delivered reliable services for regional and transshipment cargo, further strengthening Colombo’s appeal as a preferred intermediate hub. Meanwhile, progress at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT)—led by the Adani Group in partnership with local stakeholders—signals a long-term commitment to expanding capacity and enhancing Colombo’s strategic importance within regional and global maritime networks.
The significance of the 2025 performance lies not only in the volume achieved, but also in the challenging global context in which it was delivered. International shipping continues to adapt to route realignments, fleet expansion, and persistent cost pressures. Against this backdrop, Colombo’s ability to attract additional vessel calls, retain transshipment volumes, and improve vessel turnaround times highlights the port’s operational maturity and commercial credibility. These outcomes also reflect effective coordination among terminal operators, port services, regulators, and logistics partners, ensuring continuity and reliability across the port ecosystem.
Colombo’s current success is rooted in a long-standing tradition of maritime engineering and structured planning. The foundations of the modern harbour date back to the late nineteenth century during the British colonial period, when the first permanent breakwater was designed and constructed under the leadership of Sir John Coode, one of the most respected harbour engineers of his era. His work transformed Colombo from an exposed roadstead into a sheltered deep-water port capable of year-round operations, establishing the technical and strategic framework for sustained growth—a philosophy that continues to guide the port’s development today.
Surpassing 8.29 million TEUs places the Port of Colombo on a stronger footing to further expand its role within global shipping networks while supporting Sri Lanka’s broader economic ambitions. Continued focus on capacity enhancement, digitalisation, workforce capability, and service reliability will be critical to sustaining momentum. The 2025 milestone is not merely an endpoint, but a clear signal that the Port of Colombo possesses the structure, partnerships, and operational discipline required to perform at scale with consistency and confidence in an increasingly demanding global market.