FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – In June 2026, Sri Lanka’s Hambantota International Port (HIP) achieved unprecedented milestones in both roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and container operations, largely due to regional shipping challenges and enhancements in capacity.
According to the Hambantota International Port Group, the port processed 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during this period.
“The results from June highlight the necessity of being proactive and prepared to meet customer demands for alternatives,” stated Wilson Qu, Chief Executive of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG).
Officials noted that the surge in volume was influenced by proactive operational strategies in response to increasing security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz in West Asia. As shipping companies sought alternative routes, they redirected their cargo to the southern Sri Lankan port, located 10 nautical miles from the primary East-West shipping lane.
This record-setting performance comes on the heels of significant expansion at the port. In 2025, HIP’s total cargo throughput soared by 175 percent year-on-year, reaching 8.24 million metric tonnes. The volume of containers also saw a remarkable increase, rising to 428,036 TEUs in 2025 from 53,169 TEUs in 2024.
To better accommodate shifting trade patterns, the port has recently enhanced its RoRo yard capacity and expanded its container yard space by 30 percent. Additionally, HIPG has allocated 108 million USD for new container handling equipment, aiming to elevate its annual container terminal capacity to 2 million TEUs.
This year has witnessed a continuous rise in container volumes at the port. Notably, in April 2026, HIP achieved its highest single-vessel container throughput, managing 13,260 TEUs on the MSC Marie Leslie.
Operating as a public-private partnership, HIP offers a diverse range of marine services, including RoRo, container handling, bulk cargo, energy, and other ancillary operations. (Colombo/July09/2026)
