Colombo, April 7, 2025 – Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has officially commenced operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), marking a significant milestone in regional maritime logistics. The $800 million project, located at the Port of Colombo, is the first fully automated deep-water terminal in the region, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities and vessel turnaround times.
The CWIT features a 1,400-meter quay length and 20-meter depth, enabling it to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, the terminal is operated by a consortium comprising Adani Ports, Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings PLC, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under a 35-year Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) agreement.
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, described the terminal as a “momentous milestone” in India-Sri Lanka regional cooperation. He emphasized its role in placing Sri Lanka firmly on the global maritime map and unlocking immense economic value for the island nation.
The CWIT project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally, while strengthening Colombo’s status as a leading transshipment hub in South Asia. Construction began in early 2022 and has achieved rapid progress, setting new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability.
