The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has officially declared an end to operational halts at the East Container Terminal (ECT), marking a significant milestone with the completion of the installation and commissioning of 12 new Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and 40 Automated Rail-Mounted Gantry (ARMG) cranes.
The announcement is expected to ease mounting concerns in the shipping industry, which had braced for serious disruptions following a scheduled closure from June 5–19 and ongoing weather-related challenges. These disruptions threatened transshipment volumes at a time when Sri Lanka is working to maintain its status as a key maritime hub.
SLPA Chief Superintendent of Marketing and Operations, Chamara Wijayawickrama, confirmed the end of this critical phase, noting, “We are proud to announce this major milestone. With this, there will be no more closures of this nature at ECT, ensuring smooth operations moving forward.”
Wijayawickrama also emphasized long-term growth plans. “Looking ahead to 2026, we will strengthen our capabilities with eight berthings, including three deep-water berths,” he said, reinforcing the SLPA’s commitment to expanding infrastructure in line with global port standards.
The ECT’s development has not been without controversy. Procurement mismanagement and performance delays have drawn criticism from industry experts. But the completion of this phase is seen as a turning point in restoring confidence among global shipping partners.
In parallel, the Adani-JKH-led West Container Terminal (WCT), developed under a joint venture, completed its first full month of phase-one operations. In contrast, the ECT’s full operational launch has now been postponed beyond 2025.
From January to April this year, SLPA-run terminals including Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), Unity Container Terminal (UCT), and the partially operating ECT, processed 802,163 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), reflecting a 4.2% drop compared to the same period last year.
Overall, the Port of Colombo handled 2.56 million TEUs in the first four months of 2025, a 2.9% year-on-year decline from 2.64 million TEUs in 2024. With the ECT now ready for uninterrupted operations, port authorities are hoping for a turnaround in the coming quarters.
