Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has successfully discharged a 2,241-tonne Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) shipment—comprising 54 heavy-lift battery units—destined for deployment across Sri Lanka’s national grid, marking a significant logistics milestone in the country’s largest energy storage program to date.
The cargo arrived aboard Da Xiang, a specialized heavy-lift vessel operated by COSCO Shipping. Each of the 54 units—roughly the footprint of a standard 20-foot container—weighed approximately 41.5 tonnes, placing them beyond the terminal’s standard RTG lifting threshold of 40.5 tonnes and demanding bespoke planning across every stage of the operation.
The BESS units are earmarked for installation across 16 substations nationwide as part of a strategic initiative to accelerate renewable energy integration, improve grid flexibility and reduce Sri Lanka’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. The project is central to the country’s target of achieving 70% renewable energy generation by 2030.
Recognizing the cargo’s strategic weight—both literally and nationally—CICT developed a dedicated operational plan ahead of the vessel’s arrival. The discharge was scheduled during a specially planned midnight shift, with two quay cranes, sixteen prime movers and two reach stackers allocated exclusively to the operation. Two rubber-tired gantries were placed on standby with modified lifting configurations as a contingency measure; though ultimately not deployed, their readiness reflected CICT’s structured approach to risk management. The operating crew was handpicked for their experience and safety records, reinforcing the terminal’s commitment to executing the operation without compromise.
Yard management presented an equally complex challenge. Under standard operating conditions, a single yard slot accommodates container stacks up to six units high. For this shipment, CICT reserved 54 individual ground slots — one per battery unit — with no stacking permitted. The arrangement enabled direct retrieval for outbound delivery and eliminated the need for additional cargo sorting or shifting. Cargo was further segregated by final destination, establishing dedicated storage zones that streamlined onward transportation to project sites across the island.
CICT CEO Jan Zhang said the operation demonstrated the terminal’s capability to manage highly specialized project cargoes requiring meticulous planning, technical expertise and uncompromising safety standards. “As Sri Lanka accelerates investments in renewable energy and grid modernization, ports will play a critical role in enabling the timely delivery of strategic infrastructure,” he said, adding that CICT was proud to contribute to a project supporting the country’s energy security, sustainability goals and long-term economic development.
