8.29 Million TEUs: Colombo Port Sets Historic Annual Record for 2025

The final audited figures for 2025 are in, and the Port of Colombo has shattered all previous records by handling a staggering 8,291,178 TEUs. This represents an all-time high in the port’s history, cementing its status as the premier maritime hub in South Asia. The growth was bolstered by a 7% year-on-year increase, driven largely by the resilience of transshipment traffic despite the continued volatility in the Red Sea corridors.

This record performance is the result of what port authorities describe as “operational discipline.” Beyond the numbers, the year was defined by a surge in digital transformation, where the implementation of an AI-driven truck appointment system reduced port-gate congestion by 22%. As we move into 2026, the focus shifts to maintaining this momentum while integrating the West Container Terminal (WCT) into the overall ecosystem. For the Sri Lankan economy, this throughput is a lifeline, proving that despite global headwinds, the “Modern Canvas” of Colombo remains an indispensable node in the world’s supply chain.

Source: Container News – Port of Colombo Records Historic High 2025