East Container Terminal to be fully completed by mid-next year

The Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Ministry says the construction of the East Container Terminal (ECT), the largest container operations terminal in Colombo Port is currently in progress and will be completed by mid-next year.

The jetty planned for this terminal will be 1,400 meters long, allowing three mega ships to berth simultaneously on completion. The ECT will feature 12 gantry cranes and 40 transfer cranes. The terminal’s container yard area is estimated to be 75 hectares. Designed to handle 3 million containers annually, the ECT will operate as a semi-automated terminal, incorporating digital technology.

A total of $585 million has been allocated for the development of the terminal through financial provisions by the SLPA. China Engineering and Access Engineering are the appointed construction contractors.

Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, made a special inspection tour of the  construction work of the terminal recently.  He was accompanied by SLPA Chairman Keith Barnard, Vice Chairman Gayan Alagewattege, Managing Director Prabath Malavige, and several other officials.

Minister de Silva emphasised the significance of the ECT within the Port of Colombo. He urged collaboration without disputes to ensure the prompt and quality construction of the terminal, stressing that any losses incurred would affect the Port’s employees more than him.

He also highlighted the potential for the Port of Colombo to be recognised as one of the main ports in Asia. He advocated for the establishment of a suitable process to position it as the hub port of Asia, attracting more ships to Colombo.