<p data-path-to-node="2" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-501"><span data-path-to-node="2,0"><b data-path-to-node="2,0" data-index-in-node="0">COLOMBO</b> — In an aggressive engineering initiative to cement the Port of Colombo’s status as the primary mega-transshipment anchor of South Asia and decompress subcontinental trade lanes, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), acting in operational coordination with consortium partners at Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT)—led by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ, holding a 51% stake) alongside Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and the SLPA—has accelerated the commercial integration and live automation trials across its newly expanded deepwater quayside and stacking blocks</span><span data-path-to-node="2,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="2,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-502"><span data-path-to-node="3,0">The technical acceleration marks the full operational transition of CWIT’s Phase 2 blueprint, which doubles the terminal’s active handling capacity from an initial 1.6 million TEUs to 3.2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually</span><span data-path-to-node="3,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,2">. The deployment covers the terminal's continuous 1,400-meter quay line with an alongside natural depth of 20.0 meters, giving the deepwater terminal the physical capability to simultaneously berth, swing, and work three 24,000-TEU Megamax-24 and Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS) without tidal restrictions</span><span data-path-to-node="3,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-503"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">The targeted operational scale-up specifically addresses the compounding container yard pressures and structural bottlenecks that have historically challenged maritime terminals across the Colombo harbor complex</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="5"><li><p data-path-to-node="5,0,0" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-504"><span data-path-to-node="5,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="5,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Harbor Yard Saturation and Feeder Delays:</b> Transshipment cargo destined for or originating from the Indian Subcontinent accounts for between 70% and 80% of Colombo’s total throughput, sustained by feeder loops connecting secondary ports such as Chennai, VOC Port (Thoothukudi), Visakhapatnam, Cochin, and Chittagong</span><span data-path-to-node="5,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,0,0,2">. During seasonal shipping surges or regional network diversions around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, yard densities at legacy facilities frequently breached critical 85% thresholds, forcing container ships into multi-day outer anchorage waiting lines and triggering costly container rollovers</span><span data-path-to-node="5,0,0,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,0,0,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="5,1,0" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-505"><span data-path-to-node="5,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="5,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Sub-Optimal Vessel Turnaround Times:</b> Conventional, manually manned quay crane handling struggled to achieve the high crane move rates required to clear multi-thousand-TEU line-haul exchanges within narrow schedules, extending port stays for ocean carrier alliances running long-haul Asia–Europe and transatlantic services</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="5,2,0" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-506"><span data-path-to-node="5,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="5,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Fragmented Inter-Terminal Handoffs:</b> Moving transshipment boxes between deepwater berths and older inner-harbor feeder docks was historically slowed down by paper-based gate checks and landside perimeter truck queues, adding hours of unnecessary dwell time</span><span data-path-to-node="5,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-507"><span data-path-to-node="6,0">The accelerated automation platform deployed across CWIT systematically dismantles these throughput constraints</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2">. Quayside container moves are driven by high-specification, all-electric super-post-Panamax Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes supplied by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC)</span><span data-path-to-node="6,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,4">. Boasting an outreach of 74 meters spanning 24 to 26 container rows across deck and lift heights exceeding 54 meters above the rail, the STS array is commanded entirely through Remote Operating Stations (ROS) located inside the terminal's centralized operations control room</span><span data-path-to-node="6,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,6">. By utilizing low-latency fiber-optic telematics, multi-angle 3D camera feeds, and automated laser profiling for millimeter-precise spreader landings, remote operators sustain gross handling rates of 32 to 36 moves per crane hour, compressing total mother-vessel port stays to under 30 hours</span><span data-path-to-node="6,7"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,8">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-508"><span data-path-to-node="7,0">On the landside, CWIT has completed integration trials for its expanded fleet of fully electrified Automated Rail-Mounted Gantry (ARMG) and Cantilever Rail-Mounted Gantry (CRMG) yard cranes</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2">. Operating over dense container blocks, the ARMGs interface natively with an automated fleet of battery-electric Internal Terminal Vehicles (ITVs)</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4">. Kinematic regenerative braking systems installed across the electrified crane superstructures capture power during container lowering and brake cycles, feeding clean electricity back into the terminal's internal power microgrid to ensure zero quayside diesel emissions</span><span data-path-to-node="7,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-509"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">The handling grid is linked directly to the Port of Colombo’s cloud-based Smart Port Community System (PCS) and the national ASYCUDA World customs engine</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. Transshipment container manifests, cryptographic electronic seal (e-Seal) records, and automated Out-of-Charge (OOC) clearances clear electronically while vessels are still navigating approach channels, enabling discharged containers to move directly onto awaiting coastal feeders or the newly approved dual-track Inter-Terminal Rail Link (ITRL) without manual paperwork delays</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_93bf05321ccaf80e-510"><span data-path-to-node="9,0">Speaking during an operational readiness review at the Colombo quayside, senior administrative and engineering leadership from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and CWIT affirmed that scaling deepwater automation provides international ocean carrier alliances with the nautical depth, crane velocity, and schedule certainty required along the East–West trade route</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2">. Port authorities confirmed that with automated quayside assets and Phase 2 berths operating around the clock, CWIT provides essential handling headroom that elevates Colombo’s total port-wide processing capability toward 15 million TEUs over the next two years, safeguarding the island's maritime transshipment leadership across the Indian Ocean rim</span><span data-path-to-node="9,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,4">.</span></p>