Hambantota port passes 1 million TEUs and plans US$108m crane expansion

Hambantota International Port (HIP) has passed one million TEUs of container throughput since its new quay cranes were commissioned in 2025, the Daily FT and Maritime Gateway reported on 5 October 2026.

According to the figures reported by both outlets:

• HIP handled 428,036 TEUs in 2025 and 574,196 TEUs in 2026 so far, a combined 1,002,232 TEUs.
• Its highest monthly throughput was 80,325 TEUs in June 2026.
• In April 2026, the MSC Marie Leslie handled 7,968 container moves (13,260 TEUs) in a single call, a port record. The Daily FT reported that this beat records set by MSC Ilenia and MSC Ruby in March.
• The Daily FT reported that MSC is HIP's principal container customer.

Expansion plan. The port is investing US$108 million in container handling machinery and supporting assets. This covers six new quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, expected to be commissioned by February 2027. The plan brings a further 1,300 metres of berth into use, taking total container quay length to nearly 2 km, and expands the container yard by 30%. The long-term target is 2 million TEUs of annual capacity. The Daily FT also mentioned investment in reefer capacity and infrastructure for larger vessels.

The Daily FT quoted HIP chief executive Wilson Qu: "Crossing one million TEUs is an important achievement for HIP." Chief operations officer Tommy Yang said: "Our investment strategy is focused on developing capacity ahead of demand." The Daily FT reported that the June record was linked to operational preparedness, available capacity and engagement with shipping lines during uncertainty on major trade routes.

Colombo for comparison. Maritime Gateway, citing Sri Lanka Ports Authority data, reported on 24 September that Colombo handled 776,300 TEUs in August 2026, up 4.7% year on year. Transshipment rose 7.8% to 638,843 TEUs, or 82.3% of the total. Colombo's single month is larger than Hambantota's 2026 year to date, so Hambantota remains a much smaller container port.

• A second container gateway is growing. Hambantota's container business has grown quickly from a small base. More capacity in the south gives shipping lines another option in Sri Lanka, especially when Colombo is busy. For recent Colombo conditions, see our port congestion post.
• The service depends on few lines. With MSC named as the main customer, the services available at Hambantota for your trade lane depend on that carrier's network. Not every route calls there.
• Capacity comes in 2027. The new cranes are due by February 2027. Until then, the current equipment sets the limit.
• Reefer investment. Plans for more reefer capacity may interest exporters of perishables in the south, but no figures or dates for this were given.

For more on new capacity at Colombo, see our post on CWIT and ECT.

1. Ask your forwarder or shipping line whether your lane has a service via Hambantota, and compare transit times and costs with Colombo.
2. If you are based in the south, compare inland haulage to Hambantota with haulage to Colombo. Our container transport tool can help.
3. Check whether Customs clearance, inspection and empty container pickup at Hambantota suit your schedule before switching.
4. Follow the crane commissioning date in early 2027 if you plan larger volumes through the port.