MONETABRIEF – Sri Lanka's China-backed Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), said it had handled one million containers since installing new cranes in 2025, with volumes driven by the MSC Group.
So far in 2026, Hambantota Port had handled 574,196 containers HIPG said in statement on October 04.
After installing new quay cranes in 2025 it had handled The port handled 428,036 TEU, taking the total in 2025 and 2026 to 1,000,232 TEUs.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was the principal customer in the container sector" contributing significantly to the growth," the Port said.
MSC is using Hambantota as a hub port with the Far East to Africa Ingwe service.
"Crossing one million TEUs is an important achievement for HIP and a strong indication of the confidence our customers are placing in the port," HIPG CEO Wilson Qu said in a statement.
"Our container growth has been built through close engagement with shipping lines, operational reliability and the ability to respond quickly to changing customer requirements."
"We are now investing across the full container-handling chain, from equipment and berths to yard space, reefer capacity and larger-vessel facilities, to ensure that the port is ready for its next phase of growth."
Hambantota port is boosting capacity to two million containers.
HIPG said it was investing in new equipment; yard space will be increased by 30 percent and further 1,300 metres of berth space taking total quay length to two kilometres.
Six new quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, costing 108 million dollars are expected to be commissioned in February 2027. (Colombo/Oct04/2026)