Adani Ports' Colombo West terminal doubles capacity to 3.2 million TEUs with $750 million investment

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone's (APSEZ) Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) has doubled its capacity to 3.2 million TEUs with a total investment of USD 750 million, after its Phase II expansion was inaugurated in Colombo on Wednesday.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated the expansion, according to a media release issued by APSEZ and filed with the stock exchanges.

Also read: Adani's Dhamra Port becomes India’s first large private multi-cargo port to run fully on renewable electricity


The capacity of the terminal has been increased from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), furthering its ambition to handle nearly 25 per cent of the Port of Colombo's targeted capacity of 13 million TEUs by 2028.

The company said CWIT has also handled 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months of operation, which it described as a historic milestone in the Port of Colombo's history. The terminal had earlier set a record as the fastest terminal to handle 1 million TEUs within its inaugural year in 2024.

The additional capacity will allow CWIT to berth three ultra-large container vessels at the same time, strengthening Colombo's position as a critical transshipment hub on the East-West trade route, the release stated.

"The success of Colombo West International Terminal demonstrates what Sri Lanka can achieve when bold vision, trusted partnerships and modern infrastructure come together," Amarasuriya was quoted as saying in the release. She added that reaching 2 million TEUs in record time and commencing Phase II was a milestone for the Port of Colombo and for the nation's economic future. "As Sri Lanka strengthens its position at the crossroads of global trade, investments such as CWIT are creating jobs, attracting international commerce, enhancing competitiveness, and reinforcing our ambition to become the leading maritime and logistics hub of the Indian Ocean," she said.

APSEZ Whole-Time Director and CEO Ashwani Gupta said doubling CWIT's capacity with a USD 750 million investment is a direct statement of confidence from APSEZ and from the global shipping lines. "Phase II is a landmark for APSEZ's international portfolio and sharpens our position across the Indian Ocean's key trade corridors," he was quoted as saying. According to Gupta, the expanded capacity, full automation and deep-water infrastructure make CWIT "Colombo's premier transshipment gateway" that will also contribute to EXIM cargo in Sri Lanka.

John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra said reaching 2 million TEUs in just 18 months reflects what the partnership has been able to achieve. "With the expansion of the terminal, we see an even greater opportunity to strengthen Colombo's position as a key transshipment hub and support Sri Lanka's growth as an important centre for trade in the region," he said, adding that the group is pleased to be part of the journey alongside APSEZ and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

CWIT is Sri Lanka's first fully automated deep-water container terminal. It is built to serve the world's largest container vessels through fully electrified operations and zero tailpipe emissions, according to the release. The terminal has recorded 17 million safe working hours.

The terminal has been developed by APSEZ, John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under a 35-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession. It has generated over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, the company said.

APSEZ is part of the globally diversified Adani Group and describes itself as a leading integrated transport operator, with services spanning cargo origination through port handling, rail transport, multi-modal logistics parks, warehousing and final delivery by road.

Also read: Adani Ports hits record 50 million-tonne monthly cargo mark in August

The company operates 16 ports and terminals across India's west, south and east coasts, along with a marine fleet of 136 vessels, 12 multi-modal logistics parks, 3.1 million sq ft of warehouses and over 25,000 trucks on its proprietary platform.

APSEZ also operates four international ports, in Australia, Colombo, Israel and Tanzania. With a cargo handling capacity of 653 million tonnes per annum, it accounts for about 27 per cent of India's total port volumes and is targeting 1 billion tonnes of throughput by 2030.