“Staying the Course” SAGT shaping the course for a Sustainable Future

South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) is Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership (PPP) container terminal. Since commencing operations in 1999, SAGT has played a transformative role in the Port of Colombo and consistently supported the Port’s aspiration of serving as South Asia’s preeminent gateway hub for global trade.

SAGT has set industry benchmarks in operational excellence and has been instrumental in elevating the Port of Colombo’s global standing throughout the years. The terminal has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to outperform its original design capacity of 1.1 million TEUs, achieving annual throughput volumes exceeding 2 million TEUs in 2018, 2019, and 2024 through sustained productivity improvements.

“Our commitment to sustainability is woven into every aspect of our operations,” said Ted Muttiah, CCO of SAGT. “By embedding ESG principles into our core strategy, we ensure operational excellence while creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders”

SAGT stands as a cornerstone of the Port of Colombo, consistently proving that operational excellence and responsible practices are inseparable. As the only terminal in the Port of Colombo to consistently publish an independently accredited sustainability report aligned with global standards, SAGT has reinforced its commitment to transparency and long-term value creation.

Decarbonising operations remains a key priority for SAGT. The terminal has achieved a 21% reduction in GHG emissions intensity relative to its 2019/20 baseline by prioritising fleet modernisation and a comprehensive energy transition. A primary contributor to this decarbonisation has been the hybridisation of 28 of 31 RTG cranes, which now utilise approximately 58% less diesel per move compared to traditional units. Complementing this, a 460 kW rooftop solar PV system is fully operational, generating 44,000 kWh per month to meet 5% of total electricity needs, thereby directly reducing Scope 2 emissions.

SAGT is accelerating this path through strategic investments, including the purchase of two electric forklifts and an electric vehicle for safety inspections in FY 2025/26 and plans to introduce 30 electric prime mover trucks to reduce Scope 1 emissions. Furthermore, the investment in four new twin-lift STS cranes, increasing twin-lift capability from five to nine units, improves operational efficiency while enhancing energy efficiency per container move.

Environmental stewardship is further demonstrated through ongoing conservation efforts, such as support for the Benthara River Mangrove Complex and annual beach clean-ups in partnership with MEPA. Furthermore, the terminal consistently implements best practices in water stewardship and utilises a dedicated hazardous cargo leaking bay to prevent environmental contamination.

Driving a significant social milestone, SAGT has increased female representation from 4% to 6.9% over the past two reporting periods by integrating women into operational shift roles, with a target of 10% by 2029. To sustain this momentum, the Company promotes an equal environment by expanding career opportunities for females, implementing industry-first anti-sexual harassment and paternity leave policies, and establishing mentorship programs that empower the next generation of women in the maritime sector.

SAGT maintains a culture of continuous improvement through organisation-wide LEAN Level 01 training, empowering employees via Kaizen events and ‘Just Do It’ initiatives to drive incremental gains in safety, efficiency, and waste reduction. The company is also continuing its LEAN Level 2 program for selected employees and strengthening supplier sustainability oversight through periodic audits, improved environmental compliance documentation, and engagement on low-carbon products.

Decarbonising operations remains a key priority for SAGT. The terminal has achieved a 21% reduction in GHG emissions intensity relative to its 2019/20 baseline by prioritising fleet modernisation and a comprehensive energy transition. A primary contributor to this decarbonisation has been the hybridisation of 28 of 31 RTG cranes, which now utilise approximately 58% less diesel per move compared to traditional units. Complementing this, a 460 kW rooftop solar PV system is fully operational, generating 44,000 kWh per month to meet 5% of total electricity needs, thereby directly reducing Scope 2 emissions

Workplace safety is prioritised through advanced technology, including fatigue- monitoring systems in yard cabs and enhanced halo lighting on mobile equipment, to reduce man-machine risks. Furthermore, ongoing investments in terminal gate automation, OCR, and the Vehicle Booking System improve truck turnaround times and logistics efficiency, directly contributing to lower Scope 3 emissions.

“Our commitment to sustainability is woven into every aspect of our operations,” said Ted Muttiah, CCO of SAGT. “By embedding ESG principles into our core strategy, we ensure operational excellence while creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership container terminal, commenced operations in 1999 with a vision to be the most trusted Gateway in the Indian Ocean. Built on a foundation of Teamwork, Safety, Trust and Integrity, Customer Centricity & Excellence, SAGT offers the international trading community a competitive, best-in-class service. A pioneer in sustainable terminal operations, SAGT continues to steer a course for a sustainable future. Promoting “Ease of doing business” through digitalisation and digitisation is an integral part of SAGT’s DNA. SAGT is a recipient of multiple independent, globally recognised “best practice” awards since inception.

SAGT is a Board of Investment flagship company whose shareholders include John Keells Holdings, Maersk/APM Terminals, SLPA and Evergreen Marine Corporation.