🚢 India’s Port Expansions No Threat to Colombo, Maritime Experts Say

India’s expansion of its own transhipment hubs is not a zero-sum game for Colombo, with major global shipping lines investing in both countries, according to National Maritime Foundation Director General Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan. • Transhipment & Maritime Trade: • Global liner MSC is actively investing in both Colombo and Vizhinjam (India's competing transhipment port). • Colombo functions as a global transhipment hub, with approximately 80% of its transhipment cargo originating from India. • Port connectivity has transitioned from a point of concern to one of the most promising areas for India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation. • Port Capacity & Growth Projections: • The Port of Colombo currently handles around 9.9 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). • Capacity is expected to expand to 11.1 million TEUs via the East and West terminals, reaching approximately 15 million TEUs by 2028. • Shipping density around Sri Lanka has surged due to ongoing Middle East conflicts, leading to temporary port waiting times for vessels. • Key Areas for Bilateral Cooperation: • Coastal Shipping & Green Logistics: Transitioning inter-country shipping craft from fossil fuels to electric power to support the regional blue economy. • Skilling & Tech: Human skill development to complement AI advancements. • Disaster Response: Joint framework for regional maritime disaster management.