- Operations expected to commence next June
The expansion of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port is set to be completed by June 2025, 18 months ahead of its intended timeline, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said yesterday (14).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Kodithuwakku confirmed the acceleration, attributing it to successful negotiations with the contractor to expedite construction.
The ECT, a critical component of Colombo Port’s South Harbour, is designed to accommodate ultra-large container ships, bolstering Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub.
Once operational, the terminal will feature a 1,320-metre quay wall with a depth of 18 metres, capable of handling 2.4 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually.
Phase I of the terminal was completed in March 2015, including a 450-metre quay wall and supporting infrastructure financed at $ 80 million.
Phase II began in January 2022, with milestones such as the commissioning of a 600-metre quay in July 2023 and 900 metres by January this year, and is now being slated to be completed by mid-2025.
The project aims to enhance the port’s capacity to handle transhipment cargo efficiently, positioning Colombo as a key competitor in the Indian Ocean’s growing maritime trade. “This initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to infrastructure development, which is vital for economic recovery and global competitiveness,” Kodithuwakku said.
In parallel, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is developing a Logistics Centre and Multi-Modal Transport Hub near the port. The proposed facility will integrate road and rail connectivity, improve warehousing capacities, and streamline container handling. Additionally, the SLPA plans to establish modern warehouse complexes and logistics business centres to further support port operations.
The ECT project and supporting infrastructure are expected to generate significant economic benefits, including increased revenue, job creation, and foreign investment.