Adani's Colombo terminal begins operations, landmark moment in India–Sri Lanka maritime ties

IANS April 7, 2025 169 views

The Adani Group has successfully launched the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), marking a significant milestone in India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation. This $800 million project represents a state-of-the-art automated terminal with impressive cargo handling capabilities. By creating thousands of local jobs and enhancing regional trade connectivity, the terminal demonstrates the potential of strategic public-private partnerships. The project not only elevates Colombo's status as a key transshipment hub but also symbolizes the deepening economic ties between India and Sri Lanka.

"This terminal represents the future of trade in the Indian Ocean" - Gautam Adani, Adani Group Chairman
Ahmedabad, April 7: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) on Monday said it has commenced operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in Sri Lanka, located at the Port of Colombo.

Key Points

1

Massive $800M investment in cutting-edge maritime infrastructure

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First fully automated deep-water terminal in Colombo

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35-year public-private partnership between India and Sri Lanka

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Capacity to handle 3.2 million TEUs annually

The CWIT project represents a significant investment of $800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay length and 20-metre depth, enabling the terminal to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually.

It is the first deep-water terminal in Colombo to be fully automated, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities, improve vessel turnaround times and elevate the port's status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia, Adani Ports said in a statement.

Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, the CWIT is operated by a consortium comprising India's largest port operator, Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, leading Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings PLC, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under a 35-year Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement.

"The commencement of operations at CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka," said Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.

"Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean, but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map. The CWIT project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally and unlock immense economic value for the island nation," Gautam Adani added.

According to the billionaire industrialist, it also stands as a shining example of the deep-rooted friendship and growing strategic ties between the two neighbours, and of what can be achieved through visionary public-private partnerships.

"Delivering this world-class facility in record time also reflects the Adani Group's proven ability to efficiently execute large-scale critical infrastructure projects anywhere in the world," said Gautam Adani.

Construction began in early 2022 and has since achieved rapid progress. With the installation of cutting-edge infrastructure now nearing completion, the CWIT is poised to set new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability in regional maritime logistics.

"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," said Krishan Balendra, Chairperson, John Keells Group.

The project is one of the John Keells Group's largest investments and is among the most significant private-sector investments in Sri Lanka.

"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," said Balendra.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
This is such a game-changer for regional trade! 👏 The automation and scale of this terminal will definitely boost efficiency. Excited to see how this impacts shipping costs and timelines in South Asia.
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Rajesh M.
While the economic benefits are clear, I hope the environmental impact assessments were thorough. Port expansions often come at an ecological cost. Would love to see details about their sustainability measures.
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Sanjay P.
$800 million investment is massive! This shows real confidence in Sri Lanka's economic recovery. The job creation potential alone makes this a win-win partnership. Great to see India-Sri Lanka cooperation bearing fruit.
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Anika T.
Fully automated terminal sounds impressive, but I wonder about the impact on local workers. Automation usually means fewer jobs in the long run. Hope they have good retraining programs planned.
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Nimal F.
As a Sri Lankan, I'm cautiously optimistic. We've seen big projects before that didn't deliver promised benefits locally. But if this truly creates thousands of jobs and boosts our economy, it could be transformative.
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Deepak R.
The speed of completion is remarkable - started in 2022 and already operational! Adani Group's execution capability is impressive. This could be a model for other infrastructure projects in the region.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Adani Group Gautam Adani Sri Lanka Ports Maritime Infrastructure India-Sri Lanka Relations Port Development
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