September 07, Colombo (LNW): Construction has officially commenced on the fifth phase of development at Colombo Port’s Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), marking a strategic move to elevate Sri Lanka’s position as a key player in South Asia’s maritime sector.
This latest phase of expansion, overseen by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), aims to transform an additional 31,000 square metres of land into high-efficiency operational space, significantly boosting the terminal’s cargo-handling potential.
Once completed, the facility is expected to accommodate an additional 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each month—a substantial increase in throughput that will enhance the port’s ability to serve larger volumes of transshipment traffic.
An investment of Rs. 750 million has been earmarked for the project, which is projected to be completed by the end of 2026. Officials have described this development as vital to meeting growing demand from global shipping lines and regional trade routes.
Phase 4 of the terminal’s upgrade was completed earlier, but operational bottlenecks—particularly with regard to berthing space for larger vessels—remain a pressing concern. The ongoing Phase 5 works are intended to resolve these constraints by extending the port’s infrastructure to accommodate new-generation container ships, which require deeper berths and longer quay lengths.
The SLPA has stated that the improvements will not only streamline vessel turnaround times but also make Colombo Port more attractive to global shipping alliances looking for efficient, reliable regional hubs.
Speaking on the broader significance of the development, port authorities emphasised that the JCT expansion fits into a long-term vision to position Sri Lanka as a leading logistics and maritime services centre in the Indian Ocean region. With regional competitors also upgrading their ports, SLPA officials believe the timely completion of this project will be critical in maintaining Colombo’s edge in international shipping.
