~Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya inaugurates APSEZ’s USD 750 million CWIT Phase II expansion, doubling Colombo terminal capacity to 3.2 million TEUs.
Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct 01 (VNI): Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today inaugurated the USD 750 million Phase II expansion of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s (APSEZ) Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), doubling the terminal’s capacity from 1.6 million to 3.2 million TEUs.
The expansion is expected to further strengthen CWIT’s role in the Port of Colombo, with the terminal aiming to handle nearly 25 per cent of the port’s targeted 13 million TEU capacity by 2028. CWIT has already achieved a major operational milestone by handling 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months of operation, following its earlier record of becoming the fastest terminal to handle 1 million TEUs within its inaugural year in 2024.
Inaugurating the expansion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the success of CWIT demonstrated what Sri Lanka could achieve through modern infrastructure, trusted partnerships and a strong vision. She said reaching 2 million TEUs in record time and commencing Phase II represented an important milestone for the Port of Colombo as well as Sri Lanka’s economic future. She added that investments such as CWIT were creating jobs, attracting international commerce, enhancing competitiveness and supporting Sri Lanka’s ambition to become a leading maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean.
With the additional capacity, CWIT will be able to simultaneously berth three ultra-large container vessels, further strengthening Colombo’s position as a major transshipment hub on the East-West trade route. APSEZ Whole-Time Director and CEO Ashwani Gupta said the USD 750 million investment to double CWIT’s capacity to 3.2 million TEUs reflected confidence from APSEZ and global shipping lines. He said the expanded terminal, supported by full automation and deep-water infrastructure, would strengthen Colombo’s role as a premier transshipment gateway and contribute to Sri Lanka’s EXIM cargo.
John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra said handling 2 million TEUs in just 18 months reflected the achievements of the partnership and expressed confidence that the expansion would create greater opportunities to strengthen Colombo’s position as a key transshipment hub and support Sri Lanka’s growth as an important regional trade centre.
CWIT is Sri Lanka’s first fully automated deep-water container terminal and is designed to serve the world’s largest container vessels through fully electrified operations and zero tailpipe emissions. The terminal has also recorded 17 million safe working hours, highlighting its operational, safety and environmental performance. VNI NEWS, Harini Amarasuriya, APSEZ, Adani Ports, CWIT, Colombo West International Terminal, Colombo Port, Sri Lanka, 3.2 million TEUs, USD 750 million investment, Transshipment Hub
Focus Keywords: APSEZ CWIT Phase II expansion, USD 750 million CWIT expansion, Colombo West International Terminal, Harini Amarasuriya, Adani Ports Colombo, Colombo Port capacity, VNINews, VNINews.com