Date: September 30, 2026

Operational Expansion

  • Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) Phase II expansion inaugurated by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya
  • Terminal capacity doubled from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)
  • Total investment of USD 750 million for the expansion project
  • Enables simultaneous berthing of three ultra-large container vessels
  • Terminal handled 2 million TEUs within first 18 months of operation, described as a "historic feat in Port of Colombo operations"

Strategic Context

  • CWIT aims to handle nearly 25% of Port of Colombo's targeted 13 million TEU capacity by 2028
  • Terminal is Sri Lanka's first fully automated deep-water container terminal
  • Built to serve world's largest container vessels with fully electrified operations and zero tailpipe emissions
  • Recorded 17 million safe working hours
  • Developed under a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession

Partnership Structure

  • Joint development by APSEZ, John Keells Holdings, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority
  • Generated over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs

Leadership Statements

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya: "The success of Colombo West International Terminal demonstrates what Sri Lanka can achieve when bold vision, trusted partnerships and modern infrastructure come together. 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."

Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Whole-Time Director and CEO, APSEZ: "Doubling CWIT's capacity to 3.2 million TEUs with a USD 750 Mn 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."

Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairperson, John Keells Group: "This is an important milestone for CWIT and for the Port of Colombo. Reaching 2 million TEUs in just 18 months is a strong reflection of what this partnership has been able to achieve."

APSEZ Background

  • Part of globally diversified Adani Group
  • Leading Integrated Transport Operator across cargo origination through port handling, rail transport, multi-modal logistics parks, warehousing, and final delivery
  • Operates 16 strategically located ports and terminals across India's west, south, and east coasts
  • Marine fleet of 136 vessels
  • 12 multi-modal logistics parks and 3.1 million sq. ft. of warehouses
  • 25,000+ trucks operating on proprietary platform
  • Operates 4 international ports across Australia, Colombo, Israel and Tanzania
  • Current cargo handling capacity of 653 million tonnes per annum
  • Commands approximately 27% of India's total port volumes
  • Targeting 1 billion tonnes throughput by 2030
  • Recognized among Top 5% of global transportation and transportation infrastructure firms in 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (95th percentile globally)
  • Five ports feature in World Bank's Container Port Performance Index 2024