Container volumes at the Port of Colombo grew 6.7% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, reaching nearly 6.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), up from 5.8 million TEUs the previous year. This rise comes as the Government works to improve port efficiency, while industry leaders raise concerns about repeated vessel omissions leading to production shocks.
Key Throughput Figures (January-September 2025)
According to the Central Bank's latest data, total throughput in September increased 14.4% year-on-year to 742,116 TEUs, up from 648,647 TEUs a year ago. Compared with August's 741,124 TEUs, September's total saw a slight rise of 0.13%.
Transhipment Activity: This sector grew 4.8% over the nine months to 4.94 million TEUs, making up nearly 80% of Colombo’s total volume. September transhipment reached 584,863 TEUs, a 13.1% annual increase, but a 1.27% drop from August's 592,413 TEUs.
Domestic Handling: This increased 13.6% to 971,875 TEUs over the nine months. September volumes stood at 113,551 TEUs, up 12.6% year-on-year but marginally below August’s 113,615 TEUs, easing 0.06%.
Re-stowing Operations: This segment posted the strongest gains, rising 20% year-on-year to 267,231 TEUs in the nine months. September recorded 43,702 TEUs, marking a 42.4% annual increase and a 24.5% rise from August’s 35,096 TEUs.
Vessel traffic across Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, and Hambantota increased 12.6% year-on-year to 3,792 ships between January and September. September recorded 457 vessel calls, up 19.6% from 382 a year earlier and unchanged from August.
Government's Port Expansion and Efficiency Plans
In the 2026 Budget Speech, President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government plans to solidify Sri Lanka's position in regional port logistics by expanding capacity at the Colombo Port and improving operational efficiency.
Planned initiatives for the year include:
Phase II of the Western Container Terminal, with support from the Asian Development Bank.
Feasibility work on proposed Port Logistics Centres with the World Bank.
Preparatory work for the Colombo North Port Development Project.
Establishing new trade-facilitation infrastructure, such as the Kerawalapitiya Customs Verification Centre and facilities in the Bloemendal area.
The Budget also noted that efforts toward digitalisation and automation, including the Port Community System, are being scaled up to support integrated data management and improve vessel turnaround times.
Industry Concerns over Vessel Omissions
Exporters voiced concerns about repeated vessel omissions (skipping scheduled port calls) at the Port of Colombo.
The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA), in a letter to Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilaka this month, warned that omissions in recent months caused shortages of raw materials, production delays, and missed export deadlines. Industries relying on just-in-time logistics, such as garments, rubber, and electronics, reported disruptions and increased costs.
The association stated that the omissions lowered Colombo’s reliability as a transhipment hub and weakened buyer confidence.
The FTZMA urged the Ministry to collaborate with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and shipping lines to:
Improve yard efficiency.
Accelerate inter-terminal transfers.
Strengthen road connectivity.
Expedite the commissioning of the East Container Terminal and West Container Terminal.
It also called for regular communication with major carriers and clearer information to exporters regarding measures being taken to stabilize port operations.
