US Embassy delegation visits Hambantota International Port

Monday, 3 November 2025 03:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A high-level delegation from the Embassy of the United States in Sri Lanka made a courtesy call to Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently.

The delegation, led by Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Jayne Howell, also included Regional Indo-Pacific Strategy Coordinator Dustin R. Bickel, Senior Defence Official Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House and Chief of the Office of Defence Cooperation Lieutenant Commander Ros Lary.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of HIP’s terminals and operational zones, including container yards, vehicle handling zones and ship berths. The delegation was also briefed on HIP’s recent upgrades and investments, such as a $ 41 million crane expansion that has raised container handling capacity to one million TEUs, extended taking capacity, and a 26% year-on-year increase in vehicle throughput, reaching approximately 700,000 units.

These developments position HIP as a growing multipurpose maritime hub, strategically located along one of the busiest shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit reinforced HIP’s importance as a resilient logistics connector.