Hambantota Port Bolsters Capacity with US$ 108 Mn Investment 📈

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has signed a landmark US$ 108 million agreement with China’s ZPMC to procure advanced container handling equipment, significantly scaling its operational capacity. • Investment Details: The capital will fund 6 quay cranes (72m outreach), 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), and 40 trailers. This marks the commencement of Phase II container terminal development. • Capacity Surge: Total annual capacity is set to reach 2 million TEUs. The new infrastructure enables the port to handle the world’s largest container vessels across a 2km quay length. • Performance Highlights (2025): • Total Cargo: 8.24 million tonnes (up from 3 million in 2024). • Container Throughput: 428,036 TEUs (massive jump from 53,169 in 2024). • RoRo Operations: 726,153 units (vs 579,362 in 2024). • Strategic Impact: Positioned just 10 nautical miles from the East-West shipping route, the port is capturing diverted traffic from Middle East tensions. The investment supports maritime services diversification, including bunkering and logistics. • Sustainability: The move includes a transition to electric RTGs, aligning with national "Clean Sri Lanka" emissions targets. This expansion reinforces the transhipment synergy between Hambantota and Colombo, solidifying Sri Lanka’s role as a pivotal Indian Ocean hub. _Source: HIPG/Provisional Data 2026_