Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
Hambantota International Port (HIP) closed 2025 with a record-breaking 175% year-on-year cargo growth, handling 8.24 million metric tonnes, up from 3 million in 2024, despite global port industry challenges.
The largest gains came from container traffic, which soared from 53,170 TEUs to 428,036 TEUs, with containerised cargo tonnage rising to 5.43 million metric tonnes, establishing HIP as a major container hub in just one year. RORO operations also grew, with 726,153 units handled, while bulk and break bulk cargo rose 32% to 1.18 million tonnes. Oil and gas volumes remained stable at 661,131 tonnes.
HIP’s Phase 2, expected to finish by end-2026, will expand container capacity to around 2 million TEUs with four dedicated berths, six quay cranes, and sixteen rubber-tyred gantry cranes.
CEO Wilson Qu highlighted that this achievement reflects strong customer confidence, operational flexibility, and the port team’s commitment, even amid global disruptions, supply chain volatility, and rising costs.
Entering 2026, HIP is well-positioned to continue driving trade, industry, and regional economic growth, building on a transformed cargo base across containers, RORO, and bulk segments.
