Adani Ports Begins Operations at Colombo West International Terminal

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

Adani Ports, John Keells Holdings PLC of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority are working together in a public-private partnership to construct the terminal at the Port of Colombo.

With a 1,400-meter quay length and a 20-meter depth, the $800 million CWIT project can accommodate about 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually.

It is noteworthy because it is the first fully automated deep-water terminal in Colombo. Its objective is to support the port's status as a vital transshipment hub in South Asia by enhancing cargo handling capabilities and vessel turnaround times.

The opening of operations at CWIT marks a turning point in regional collaboration between India and Sri Lanka, according to Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group. "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 stated.

The importance of the project for Sri Lanka's maritime aspirations was emphasized by Krishan Balendra, Chairman of the John Keells Group.

"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," according to him. "In collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Adani Group, we will elevate Colombo's status as a premier transshipment hub. We are confident that the project will boost global trade and connectivity in the region.