📈 SLPA to Launch FDI-Backed Logistics Hub in 2–3 Months

• New Logistics Hub: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is set to launch a foreign direct investment (FDI) backed logistics hub featuring free-zone and bonded warehousing to transition Colombo from a simple transshipment hub into a full logistics ecosystem. • Port Throughput & Capacity: Container volumes grew ~12% year-on-year (YoY) in H1 2026, putting the Port of Colombo on track to handle nearly 9 million TEUs for the year. SLPA is targeting an additional 1.5 million TEUs in capacity by end-2027 to ease operational strain. • Infrastructure Upgrades: The port-to-airport expressway connection opening around October is expected to cut transit time to ~25 minutes, boosting sea-air connectivity and regional cargo transshipment (e.g., Bangladesh). • Global Market Pressures: Global container ship capacity has reached ~34.6 million TEUs. With top carriers converting into end-to-end service providers and controlling ~84.5% of market capacity, local freight forwarding and NVOCC operators face increasing structural pressure, requiring a shift toward demand chain management.