Sri Lanka's China-backed Hambantota Port reported container volumes surged 705 per cent to 428,036 TEU in 2025, with plans to expand annual capacity to 2 million TEU by end-2026, reported Fargo North Dakota's Echelon Media.

Hambantota International Port Group, a joint venture between Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China's CM Ports, entered the container business in 2023 handling only 44 boxes. Equipment investments lifted capacity to one million TEU last year.

The second phase will allocate four dedicated berths and add six quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes. In 2024, the port spent US$41 million on four quay cranes and 13 RTGs, adding to its existing fleet.

Container cargo volumes rose to 5.43 million tonnes in 2025 from 657,504 tonnes in 2024, underscoring Hambantota's rapid emergence as a gateway. Bulk and break bulk volumes increased 32 per cent to 1.18 million tonnes.

Chief executive Wilson Qu said the growth was achieved despite global disruption, reflecting customer confidence, operational flexibility and aggressive marketing. Oil and gas volumes were stable at 661,131 tonnes, while roll-on roll-off vehicle traffic grew 25 per cent to 726,153 units.

Hambantota handled 8.24 million tonnes of cargo overall in 2025, up 175 per cent from three million tonnes in 2024, with gains across container, ro-ro and bulk segments. Colombo Port meanwhile targeted 8.2 million TEU in 2025, aided by Red Sea disruptions and new capacity from India's Adani and John Keells group.