All Other Sri Lanka Ports, Sri Lanka

Port Overview

Sri Lanka’s other ports beyond Colombo and Hambantota include Trincomalee, Galle, Oluvil, Point Pedro, and Kankesanthurai. These are regionally significant but smaller in scale. Trincomalee, on the northeast coast, is one of the world’s largest natural harbors and serves mainly bulk cargo and naval operations. Galle, in the southwest, is a regional port with limited cargo capacity and a focus on yachting. Oluvil, Point Pedro, and Kankesanthurai are minor ports with limited commercial activity. Collectively, their annual TEU capacity is modest, well below major ports, and they serve mainly regional and strategic needs.

Facilities & Infrastructure

All Other Sri Lanka Ports, beyond Colombo, include Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Oluvil. Hambantota Port features multipurpose terminals for bulk, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo, with deepwater berths and modern cranes. Trincomalee Port handles bulk and industrial cargo, offering large anchorage and storage. Oluvil Port serves general cargo and fishing vessels, with berths for small ships and basic cargo handling equipment. These ports use mobile cranes, forklifts, and conventional cargo gear but do not operate AGVs.

Container Terminals

Other Sri Lankan container ports outside Colombo include Hambantota and Trincomalee. Hambantota Port has two container berths and a capacity of around 1 million TEU, with limited automation and is operated by Hambantota International Port Group, a joint venture with China Merchants Port. Trincomalee Port has minimal container facilities, mainly serving bulk and breakbulk cargo, with no significant automation or major container terminal operators.

Port Services

• Container handling: Loading, unloading, storage, and movement of containers using modern equipment and automated systems.
• Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, breakbulk, liquid, and general cargo, including specialized vessel services.
• Ship services: Berthing, pilotage, towage, bunkering, fresh water supply, and vessel support.
• Warehousing: Storage facilities for containers and general cargo, including bonded and transit warehousing.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance, documentation, and regulatory compliance for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Sri Lanka’s other ports—Hambantota, Galle, Trincomalee, Oluvil, Kankesanthurai, and Point Pedro—support regional connectivity across the island. These ports serve southern, eastern, northern, and southwestern regions, linking Sri Lanka to key shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. They facilitate access to major markets in South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, complementing Colombo’s role as a transshipment hub for global maritime trade.

Port Statistics

All Other Sri Lanka Ports (excluding Colombo) handle a combined annual container throughput of less than 100,000 TEU, with no individual port ranked in the global top 100. Key ports include Galle, Trincomalee, and Hambantota. These ports collectively offer around 10–15 berths, with port areas ranging from 50 to 400 hectares. Major international shipping lines calling include Maersk, MSC, and regional carriers, primarily for bulk, breakbulk, and limited container operations.