Adani ports commences ops at Colombo West International Terminal

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) on Monday officially commenced operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), whopse construction began in 2022.

The terminal, located at the Port of Colombo, is built in a public-private partnership involving Adani Ports, Sri Lanka's John Keells Holdings PLC, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The CWIT project, which represents an investment of $800 million, features a 1,400-metre quay length and a depth of 20 metres, allowing it to handle capacity of approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually.

Notably, it is the first fully automated deep-water terminal in Colombo, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities and improve vessel turnaround times, thereby strengthening the port's status as a vital transshipment hub in South Asia.

Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said that the commencement of operations at CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. "This terminal not only represents the future of trade in the Indian Ocean but also places Sri Lanka firmly on the global maritime map," Adani said.

Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group highlighted the project's significance for Sri Lanka's maritime ambitions.

"We are proud to see the progress in the development of the West Container Terminal, a project that strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub," he said. "Together with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority 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."