Adani’s Colombo Terminal starts operations

Tuesday, 8 April 2025 03:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani says move a landmark achievement in India-Sri Lanka maritime partnership
First fully automated terminal in Colombo Port to set new standards in reliability and performance
JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra says Colombo West International Terminal will significantly enhance Colombo Port’s capacity and ease congestion, boosting overall efficiency

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport utility, yesterday announced the commencement of operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), located at the Port of Colombo.

Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, the CWIT is operated by a consortium comprising India’s largest port operator APSEZ, leading Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), under a 35-year Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement.

The CWIT project represents a significant investment of $ 800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay length and 20-metre depth, enabling the terminal to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. It is the first deep-water terminal in Colombo to be fully automated, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities, improve vessel turnaround times, and elevate the Port’s status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia.

Construction began in early 2022 and has since achieved rapid progress. With the installation of cutting-edge infrastructure now nearing completion, the CWIT is poised to set new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability in regional maritime logistics.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said: “The commencement of operations at the CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map.”

“The CWIT project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally and unlock immense economic value for the island nation. It also stands as a shining example of the deep-rooted friendship and growing strategic ties between the two neighbours, and of what can be achieved through visionary public-private partnerships. Delivering this world-class facility in record time also reflects the Adani Group’s proven ability to efficiently execute large-scale critical infrastructure projects anywhere in the world,” the Chairman added.

JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said: “We are proud to see the progress in the development of the CWIT, a project that strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub. This project is one of JKH’s largest investments and is among the most significant private sector investments in Sri Lanka. Together with the SLPA and the Adani Group, we will elevate Colombo’s status as a leading transshipment hub. We are confident that the project will enhance global trade and connectivity in the region.”

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