Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT)
About CICT
CICT is a deep-water container terminal in Colombo South Harbour, Sri Lanka, run by China Merchants Port Holdings (85%) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (15%). It has an installed capacity of 3.2 million TEUs per annum and handles about 3.2 million TEUs.
CICT remains the “Deep-Water Gateway” of South Asia. It is the only terminal in the region currently capable of handling the latest generation of Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) with capacities exceeding 24,000 TEUs, making it a critical node on the East-West Maritime Silk Road.
It is located at the Colombo South Harbour, Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The terminal won “Best Container Terminal in Asia” for several consecutive years. CICT is a joint venture that represents a strategic alliance between China and Sri Lanka. The Partnership is under a 35-year BOT agreement. The terminal is owned by China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort) with an 85% stake and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) with a 15% stake. The project represented a direct foreign investment of approximately US$500 million, the largest of its kind in the Sri Lankan port sector at the time of construction.
In 2026, the terminal handled nearly 40% of the entire Port of Colombo’s record 8.29 million TEU volume. CICT is the preferred hub for the world’s three major shipping alliances: 2M, Ocean Alliance, and THE Alliance. It is the primary call for mega-ships on the Asia-Europe and Asia-US East Coast routes. Major carriers include MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, and Evergreen. Over 80% of volume is transhipment, with a significant portion being “re-shipped” to the Indian Subcontinent via feeder networks.
Equipment
- 14 Super Post-Panamax Ship-to-Shore quay cranes with a reach of 24 rows across
- 46 Rubber Tyred Gantry yard cranes—the majority are fully electric (e-RTGs) for zero-emission yard operations
- Over 100 Terminal Tractors
Facilities & infrastructure
- 1,200 meters of continuous quay length with an alongside depth of 18 to 20 meters
- Over 600 reefer plug points
- The only terminal in South Asia capable of berthing 400m-long vessels with drafts up to 18m without tidal restrictions
Why shippers choose CICT
- Consistent Gross Crane Rates (GCR) of 30–35 moves per hour, making it one of the most productive terminals in the China Merchants global portfolio
- A pioneer in green energy, featuring a 100% electric RTG fleet and advanced carbon-tracking for all transhipment cargo
- Located at the mouth of the new South Harbour, offering the easiest approach for large vessels compared with the older, narrower harbour basins
Shipping lines & services
Hinterland connectivity
Rail & road
CICT utilises a common-user rail siding in the South Harbour hinterland. This siding is managed by Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) in coordination with the SLPA. The rail connection supports 1–2 dedicated freight trains per day, transporting heavy industrial raw materials or bulk liquid ISO tankers to inland locations such as Veyangoda. The Mabole/Wattala Cluster is home to major private ICDs operated by Aitken Spence and John Keells Logistics, which are digitally linked to CICT’s Navis N4 system.
CFS & warehousing
CICT is linked to the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACL), a US$392 million complex expected to be completed by the end of 2026. It provides 5 million square feet of space and a storage capacity of 530,000 CBM, and is directly linked to Bandaranaike International Airport via the Port Access Elevated Highway.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates CICT?
CICT is operated by Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd, owned 85% by China Merchants Port Holdings and 15% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under a 35-year BOT agreement.
What is the capacity of CICT?
Installed capacity is 3.2 million TEUs per annum, running at about 100% utilisation.
What is the port code for CICT?
The UN/LOCODE-style port code is LKCMB.
Where is CICT located?
CICT is in the Colombo South Harbour, Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Can CICT handle ultra-large container vessels?
Yes. With 18–20 m alongside depth and a 1,200 m quay, it can berth 24,000+ TEU vessels up to 400 m long without tidal restrictions.
Which logistics facilities serve CICT?
Private ICDs in the Mabole/Wattala cluster, and the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACL) due for completion by end-2026.
In the news
Classification
Source: South Asia Container Market Report 2026, p. 75. Last updated Jan 2026.
