In Sri Lanka, the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) has emerged as the most efficient terminal at the Port of Colombo in 2025, significantly outperforming the state-run East Container Terminal (ECT). Operated by an Adani-John Keells Holdings consortium, the terminal has demonstrated a faster operational ramp-up and higher capacity utilisation within its first year.
Official data shows CWIT, which began operations only in April 2025, handled 717,226 TEUs by year-end, compared with just over 500,000 TEUs at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority-managed ECT, which is still operating with incomplete infrastructure. According to reports, CWIT has already reached nearly 90 per cent utilisation of its Phase 1 capacity of 1.6 million TEUs, underscoring stronger productivity levels.
The consortium is supported by India’s Adani Ports, bringing private capital and operational expertise into Colombo’s port sector. The widening performance gap has proven that the CWIT model has been more efficient, making a case for more public-private partnerships.
