<p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-306"><span data-path-to-node="4,0"><b data-path-to-node="4,0" data-index-in-node="0">COLOMBO</b> — Solidifying its strategic position as South Asia's preeminent deepwater maritime crossroad, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has released official operational performance figures confirming sustained quarterly transshipment growth across the Port of Colombo, driven by mainline liner reconfigurations and the rapid operational scaling of modern deep-draft terminals</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" 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-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-307"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">The performance surge reflects Colombo's capacity to absorb heavy container overflows as international ocean carriers continue to reroute line-haul services away from volatile Western Asian chokepoints and navigate prolonged Cape of Good Hope detours</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">. Rather than running multiple direct calls into high-risk upper-Gulf waterways or congested regional hubs, global carrier consortia have increasingly rationalized their mainline networks, using Colombo as a high-velocity safe haven to discharge European and Asian cargo blocks for redistribution across the wider Indian Ocean rim</span><span data-path-to-node="5,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-308"><span data-path-to-node="6,0">A primary catalyst behind the harbor's throughput expansion is the operational contribution of the newly expanded Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT)—a joint-venture deepwater facility developed by a consortium led by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) alongside Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and the SLPA</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="7"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-309"><span data-path-to-node="7,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">High-Outreach Deepwater Staging:</b> With CWIT's recent commissioning of additional berth frontage and remote-controlled Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes capable of reaching 24 to 26 container rows across deck, the terminal has expanded handling headroom, allowing up to three ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) drawing 20 meters of draft to work cargo concurrently without tidal dependencies</span><span data-path-to-node="7,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-310"><span data-path-to-node="7,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Migrating Mainline Services:</b> Flagship long-haul loops—including Maersk’s westbound Middle East 2 (ME2) liner service alongside high-intake strings from MSC and CMA CGM—have migrated calls directly to CWIT, capturing more than 22% of total port throughput and decompressing legacy inner-harbor docks</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,2,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-311"><span data-path-to-node="7,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">High Crane Handling Velocity:</b> Integrated automation across CWIT, South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), and Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has maintained sustained productivities between 32 and 36 gross moves per crane hour, compressing average mega-vessel port stays to under 30 hours and safeguarding schedule reliability on the East–West trade corridor</span><span data-path-to-node="7,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,3,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-312"><span data-path-to-node="7,3,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Decompressing Regional Feeder Networks:</b> High-frequency feeder services linking secondary coastal manufacturing gateways—such as Chennai, VOC Port (Thoothukudi), Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Kolkata, and Chittagong—are completing rapid quayside turnarounds in under 24 hours, preventing transshipment container rollovers for time-sensitive ready-made garment (RMG) exports from Bangladesh and automotive engineering components from South India</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,3,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-313"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">To handle the massive influx of diverted transshipment boxes without creating landside bottlenecks, the SLPA and terminal operators have synchronized quay operations with automated yard management systems</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-314"><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">24/7 Digital Gate and Yard Windows:</b> Terminals have eliminated nocturnal drayage restrictions, deploying round-the-clock automated gate portals that use optical character recognition (OCR) and RFID verification to keep truck turnarounds under 45 seconds</span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-315"><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Segregated Inter-Terminal Transfers:</b> Newly operational four-lane internal trucking corridors and automated intra-port waterborne barge shuttles transport bonded transshipment containers between public feeder berths at Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and deepwater docks at CWIT in under 45 minutes, bypassing municipal city roadways and preventing perimeter congestion</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-316"><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Smart Port Community System (PCS) Integration:</b> Real-time container discharge milestones logged by quayside cranes feed directly into the cloud-based Smart Port Community System, allowing customs brokers, terminal planners, and feeder lines to pre-clear manifests and cross-dock transshipment boxes with zero paperwork dwell</span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3959867146=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="10" id="p-rc_4d9a099dbd06c88b-317"><span data-path-to-node="10,0">Port Authority leadership noted that the sustained transshipment volume surge reaffirms Colombo's vital role as an indispensable maritime shock absorber for global trade</span><span data-path-to-node="10,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,2">. With the ongoing development of CWIT and the East Container Terminal (ECT) on track to expand the port complex toward an annual processing capacity of 15 million TEUs over the coming years, Colombo remains equipped to handle the world's largest container fleets with speed, draft certainty, and operational scale</span><span data-path-to-node="10,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c647860256="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c647860256="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,4">.</span></p>