KNOWLEDGE HUB

Tuesday, August 11 2026

Tuesday, August 11 2026

Sri Lanka Ports See Double Digit Growth in Transshipment Amid US-Iran War

Published Monday, 10th August 2026 3:55 PM

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MONETABRIEF – Transshipment volumes through Sri Lanka's ports grew 11.9 percent in the first six months of 2026 to 3.56 million twenty-foot equivalent units amid a Middle East War and a new capacity, official data showed.

Transshipment in June grew 4.3 percent to 600,597 units.

Domestic volumes in from January to June was 680,912 boxes, up 8.3. June numbers were down 2.9 percent to 107,801. It is not clear whether the fall is one off or a trend from debasement of the rupee which reduced the domestic consumption and investment.

Cargo volumes through the Evergreen line grew 28.5 percent year on year, agents Hemas group said in the June quarter interim report to shareholders.

Incremental volumes was driven "by the Middle East crisis, which positioned Sri Lanka as a regional alternative to Middle East ports," Hemas said.

"This shift had a positive impact, supported by rising freight rates."

John Keells Holdings, joint venture partner of the Adani terminal in Colombo also said its first phase capacity has filled up.

Tota container handling by ports in Sri Lanka grew 11.9 percent to 4.44 million from January to June 2026. (Colombo/Aug09/2026)

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