Colombo Port to increase its container handling capacity to 35 million TEUs from its current 8.5 million

The 8.5 million current TEU handling capacity at the Port of Colombo (POC) will be increased to 35 million TEU handling capacity with the completion of ECT, Jaya Container Terminal V (JCT-V), Western International Container Terminal (WICT), and the proposed North Port Projects in the future, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva said recently.

He made this comment at the initiation of the construction work of the operations building at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

The 1300-metre terminal will be built at a cost of USD 580 million. The gantry cranes required for operations at the terminal have already been ordered. The construction of the four-story main operations building at the terminal will cost Rs. 1300 million and is planned to be completed by February next year.