Port of Colombo records historic high of 8.29 million TEUs in 2025

In a remarkable milestone for Sri Lanka and global shipping, the Port of Colombo recorded 8,291,178 TEUs in 2025 — the highest annual throughput till date.

Over the past decade, Colombo has transitioned from managing about 5.2 million TEUs in 2015 to crossing the 8-million mark in 2025. The consistent upward trajectory reflects strategic investments and the port’s growing relevance as a transshipment and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean.

Below is the growth chart for Colombo port

Above data taken from - https://www.ntc.gov.lk/ (National transport Commission of Colombo)

What is driving the growth?

1. Strategic location & transshipment leadership
   Colombo’s proximity to major east–west sea trade routes enables it to capture a significant share of container transshipment flows. In 2024, transshipment accounted for the lion’s share of container throughput — underpinning the port’s competitive edge in regional logistics.
   After Red Sea Challenge, most of India originating cargo also moves from East and West India to Colombo for transshipment and from there they are loaded on the mother vessel.

2. Resilience in a challenging market
   Despite pressure from uneven global trade dynamics and shifting shipping networks, the Port of Colombo maintained strong vessel calls, reduced turnaround times, and retained its status as a preferred transshipment gateway.

Within the port there are three terminals as below :-
• Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) — deep-water capacity for ultra-large ships.
• South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) — strong regional feeder and transshipment handling.
• New Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) — ramping up capacity from 2025 onward.

Biggest competitor for future –
As mentioned in our earlier blog, we have done a SWOT analysis on Vizhinjam port which is growing very fast and many shipping lines have started moving their ships to Vizhinjam port including world’s largest containerized ship – MSC IRINA.

Looking ahead
After looking at the consistent growth of the port we expect it to cross 10 million TEU within this year end.
Lets see what future brings.