Tuesday Jun 09, 2026
Tuesday Jun 09, 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026 02:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The COSCO Vessel Da Xiang carrying the BESS shipment
The containers being discharged
The Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) successfully handled a 2,241-tonne Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) shipment comprising 54 battery units destined for Sri Lanka’s largest energy storage programme to date, supporting a landmark national initiative aimed at strengthening grid stability, accelerating renewable energy integration and enhancing long-term energy security.
The shipment arrived onboard Da Xiang, a specialised heavy lift vessel operated by COSCO Shipping. Each battery unit, equivalent in size to a standard 20-foot container, weighed approximately 41.5 tonnes and required specialised planning, equipment deployment and enhanced safety measures throughout the discharge and storage process.
The BESS units form part of a nationwide deployment across 16 substations, representing Sri Lanka’s largest energy storage programme to date. The project is expected to play a critical role in supporting the country’s target of achieving 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 while improving grid flexibility, strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Recognising the strategic importance and specialised handling requirements of the cargo, CICT developed a dedicated operational plan prior to the vessel’s arrival. The discharge operation was carried out during a specially planned midnight shift, with two dedicated quay cranes, sixteen prime movers and two reach stackers allocated exclusively for the movement of the battery units from vessel to stack.
To further strengthen operational readiness, two Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTGs) were placed on standby with specially modified lifting configurations. While the terminal’s RTGs are designed to handle loads of up to 40.5 tonnes under normal operating conditions, each BESS unit exceeded this threshold.
Technical adjustments were therefore completed in advance to ensure additional lifting capability was available if required. Although the standby RTGs were ultimately not utilised, the preparations formed part of CICT’s comprehensive risk management and contingency planning process.
The operation was supported by a specially selected team comprising two quay crane operators, sixteen prime mover drivers, two reach stacker operators and two RTG operators. Team members were handpicked during the planning phase based on their extensive operational experience and exemplary safety records, ensuring that every stage of the operation was executed under enhanced safety protocols.
CICT CEO Jan Zhang said: “The successful handling of this 2,241-ton battery energy storage shipment demonstrates CICT’s capability to manage highly specialised project cargoes that require meticulous planning, technical expertise and uncompromising safety standards. As Sri Lanka accelerates investments in renewable energy and grid modernisation, ports will play a critical role in enabling the timely delivery of strategic infrastructure. We are proud to contribute to a project that supports the country’s energy security, sustainability goals and long-term economic development.”
Given the specialised nature of the cargo, CICT also implemented dedicated yard management arrangements to support safe storage and onward distribution. Unlike conventional container operations, the battery units were not stacked. Instead, each of the 54 units was allocated its own dedicated ground slot within the terminal yard.
Under normal operating conditions, a single yard slot can accommodate stacks of up to six containers high. However, CICT reserved 54 dedicated slots for this shipment, highlighting the exceptional planning and space allocation undertaken for the project. The dedicated storage arrangement also enabled direct retrieval for delivery while avoiding unnecessary sorting, shifting and additional cargo movements.
To facilitate efficient onward transportation, the terminal segregated the cargo according to its final delivery destinations, establishing dedicated storage zones that minimised cargo handling and supported seamless delivery from the terminal to project locations across the country.
