Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port Smashes All-Time Record

COLOMBO (News 1st); Hambantota International Port (HIP) recorded the strongest monthly performance in its history in June 2026, achieving record-breaking throughput figures in both its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and container operations, further cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing maritime hubs in the region.

The port handled an unprecedented 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) during the month, marking the highest monthly volumes ever recorded in both business segments.

The milestone comes amid a period of uncertainty in global shipping, particularly surrounding developments affecting trade routes through the Middle East. Anticipating potential disruptions to international supply chains linked to concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, Hambantota International Port said that it moved early to prepare for possible shifts in cargo flows by ensuring sufficient operational capacity and maintaining uninterrupted services for customers.

The proactive strategy provided shipping lines and cargo owners with greater confidence and flexibility at a time when many operators were reassessing logistics networks and seeking reliable alternatives. Targeted marketing initiatives and direct engagement with customers further contributed to the increase in cargo volumes, helping attract additional business to the port and driving the record-breaking June performance.

HIP Group Chief Executive Officer Wilson Qu said the achievement was not merely a reflection of higher monthly volumes but demonstrated the value of anticipating market changes and being prepared to respond when customers needed dependable alternatives.

The latest achievement builds on the port's remarkable growth trajectory in 2025, when total cargo throughput surged by 175 percent to reach 8.24 million metric tonnes. Container operations experienced particularly significant growth, with volumes rising from 53,169 TEUs in 2024 to 428,036 TEUs in 2025, underlining Hambantota's emergence as a rapidly expanding container hub while strengthening its already established role as a leading vehicle transshipment centre.

To accommodate growing demand, HIP has continued investing heavily in capacity expansion. Earlier this year, the port doubled its RoRo yard capacity and increased container yard space by 30 percent in response to evolving regional trade patterns and rising customer requirements.

The port has also committed an investment of USD 108 million towards new container handling equipment as part of its long-term strategy to raise annual container terminal capacity to two million TEUs, positioning Hambantota for sustained future growth.

Container operations have maintained strong momentum throughout 2026. In April, HIP recorded its highest-ever single-vessel container throughput after handling 13,260 TEUs aboard the MSC Marie Leslie, surpassing two previous records set earlier in the year and highlighting the port's growing capability to handle larger container volumes efficiently.

Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the world's busiest East-West shipping route, Hambantota International Port operates across multiple sectors including RoRo, container handling, bulk and breakbulk cargo, marine services and energy-related operations.