ADANI’S new container terminal in the Port of Colombo has commenced operations after a three-year construction project.

Colombo West International Terminal is operated by a consortium involving Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under a 35-year concession.

The terminal represents an investment of $800m and features 1,400 metres of quay length and 20 m draught, allowing it to handle up to 3.2m teu annually.

CWIT is first fully automated deepwater terminal at the Port of Colombo, which Adani hopes will improve vessel turnaround times at what is quickly becoming a crucial transhipment hub.

Adani chairman Gautam Adani said the terminal marked “a momentous milestone in regional co-operation between India and Sri Lanka”.

“Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map.

“The CWIT project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs locally and unlock immense economic value for the island nation,” he said.

Adani withdrew its request for funding for the terminal from the US International Development Finance Corporation after Gautam Adani was indicted on fraud charges in the US last year.

DFC said it had committed $533m to the project in November 2024, but instead Adani said via an exchange filing that it would instead fund the terminal through the company’s “internal accruals and capital management plan”.