Adani Ports has begun operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), an important deep water installation developed under a public-private association in the Port of Colombo.

The project is operated by a consortium that includes Adani Ports, Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerate, John Keells Holdings PLC, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under a 35 -year -old construction, operation and transfer agreement. On behalf of an investment of $ 800 million, the CWIT terminal has a length of 1,400 meters in length and a depth of 20 meters, with the ability to handle approximately 3.2 million equivalent units (TEU) annually.

CWIT ​​is the first fully automated deep water terminal in Colombo and is designed to improve load handling capabilities, improve the boat change times and place Colombo as a key transfer center in South Asia.

The construction began in early 2022, with rapid progress that led to the start of operations this month. Final infrastructure facilities will just be completed and the installation is expected to establish new reference points for efficiency and operational reliability in regional maritime logistics.

“The start of CWit operations marks an important milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka,” said Gautam Adani, president of the Adani group. “This terminal not only represents the future of trade in the Indian Ocean, but its opening is also a proud time for Sri Lanka, firmly placing it on the world sea map.”

Adani said that the CWIT project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally and will unlock immense economic value for the island nation. “It is also a brilliant example of the friendship rooted and growing the strategic links between the two neighbors and what can be achieved through public and visionary collaborations,” he added.

The president of the John Keells group, Krishan Balendra the state of Colombo as the main transfer center.