COLOMBO : The Port of Colombo has risen to 20th place among the world’s leading container ports, following strong growth in container handling during the first half of 2026.
According to the latest Alphaliner data, the Port of Colombo handled 4.44 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the first six months of 2026, recording an 11.9 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year. The performance has lifted the port from 26th place in the global rankings during the second half of 2025 to 20th place in the first half of 2026.
The port handled 4,444,034 TEUs during the first half ofy this year, an increase of 471,981 TEUs compared to 3,972,053 TEUs recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority said the continued growth further strengthens Colombo’s position as a key transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, linking major international shipping routes across East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The Authority is also working to expand container handling and logistics infrastructure through future development projects and potential investments of up to US$2 billion over the next one to three years, the statement said.
