Hambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed the one-million-TEU milestone in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of new quay cranes in 2025, as the port accelerates investment to expand its annual handling capacity to two million TEUs.

HIP handled 428,036 TEUs in 2025, followed by 574,196 TEUs in 2026 year-to-date, taking cumulative throughput to 1,002,232 TEUs. The latest figures point to a significant expansion of the port’s container business and increasing utilisation of its facilities.

HIPG CEO Wilson Qu said the milestone reflected growing customer confidence in the port and its ability to serve regional and international trade.

The port’s container operations have been supported by its relationship with MSC, its principal container customer. In April, the MSC Marie Leslie set a new single-vessel handling record at HIP with 7,968 container moves, equivalent to 13,260 TEUs, surpassing records previously established by the MSC Ilenia and MSC Ruby.

HIP also recorded its highest monthly container throughput in June, handling 80,325 TEUs, as the port sought to capitalise on changing patterns in international shipping and trade routes.

The growth is being accompanied by a major expansion of container-handling infrastructure. HIP is investing USD 108 million in new container-handling machinery and related assets, including six quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes. The new equipment is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of February 2027.

The investment will increase ship-to-shore and yard-handling capacity while enabling greater utilisation of an additional 1,300 metres of berth space. This will bring HIP’s total container quay length to nearly two kilometres.

The container yard is also being expanded by 30%, while additional capacity is being developed for refrigerated containers and larger vessels. The combined expansion is expected to provide the infrastructure required to increase HIP’s annual container-handling capacity to two million TEUs.

HIP Chief Operations Officer Tommy Yang said the investment programme was being aligned with the port’s projected growth and customer demand, with the objective of expanding capacity while maintaining operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

The rapid increase in throughput and ongoing infrastructure investment mark a significant phase in HIP’s development as a container port. The expansion is expected to strengthen its ability to handle larger vessels and higher cargo volumes and enhance its role as a regional gateway for international trade.