SIMIC

THE Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) is scheduled to commence operations next month, with a 1.6 million TEU capacity, while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)-managed East Container Terminal (ECT) is likely to go into full operation later this year.

John Keells Holdings PLC deputy chairman/group finance director Gihan Cooray said that the public-private partnership-based CWIT expects to commence operations next month, while the SLPA-owned and managed ECT has encountered delays.



Mr Cooray shared this update while addressing a panel at the First Capital Investor Forum held recently, reports Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror.



"We (the private sector) are on track to commence operations of a brand-new terminal within two years. However, the opening of the ECT is still unclear," he said.



Mr Cooray went on to assert that Sri Lanka has lost an opportunity to capitalise on the port and shipping sector, as the country lagged in increasing port capacity. However, he remarked that "it's better late than never".



For the CWIT, the first batch of quay and yard cranes arrived in September last year, following which, commissioning is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this financial year.



The deep-water terminal has an overall annual handling capacity of 3.2 million TEU, equipped with a quay length of 1,400 metres and an alongside depth of 20 metres.



In particular, the quay length of 800 metres in phase one is set to facilitate the servicing of two large vessels concurrently, enabling higher throughput from the end of next month. The remainder of the terminal is expected to be completed in mid-2026.



The build, operate and transfer agreement for the development of West Container Terminal (WCT-1) was signed on September 30, 2021, for a lease period of 35 years, between the SLPA and Colombo West International Container Terminal (Private) Limited (CWIT).



The construction of the second phase of the ECT continued during 2023. Extending across 75 hectares, with a quay length of 1,320 metres and featuring 12 gantry cranes and 40-yard cranes, the second phase is expected to be completed by 2026.



Upon the completion of both terminals, the estimated annual capacity of the Port of Colombo is expected to increase by 6-6.5 million TEU.