Jaya Container Terminal (JCT)
About JCT
JCT is the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s legacy container terminal at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, now a feeder hub for the Indian Subcontinent. It has an installed capacity of 1.5 million TEUs and handles about 500,000 TEUs.
JCT remains the “Legacy Terminal” and the spiritual heart of the Port of Colombo. While the newly expanded East Container Terminal (ECT) handles ultra-large vessels, JCT has successfully pivoted into a high-efficiency hub for regional feeders and mid-sized mainline vessels, maintaining its position as a top performer for Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
It is located in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka (on the eastern side of the original harbour basin). It was the first purpose-built container terminal in South Asia, developed with significant technological assistance from Japan (JICA).
JCT serves as the primary “Feeder Hub” for the Indian Subcontinent (ISC). It receives regular calls from MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen with their mid-sized 8,000–10,000 TEU vessels. It is the backbone for regional lines such as Feedertech, X-Press Feeders, and Bengal Tiger Line (BTL), connecting Colombo to Chennai, Tuticorin, Chittagong, and Malé. Maersk utilises JCT for high-frequency feeder rotations connecting Colombo to ports such as Chittagong (Bangladesh), Tuticorin, and Cochin. In August 2025, Maersk signed a three-year terminal service agreement with SLPA to utilise SLPA-run terminals JCT and ECT. There are operational constraints, including congestion, berthing delays caused by infrastructure limitations, and internal transport bottlenecks.
Key figures in detail
- Installed capacity: 1.5 Million TEUs (following Phase III completion)
Equipment
- 14 Ship-to-Shore (STS) quay cranes, including 6 Super Post-Panamax units at Berth 4
- 39 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) yard cranes and 4 Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes
- A fleet of over 150 terminal tractors and trailers
Facilities & infrastructure
- 4 Main Container Berths (total length ~1,292m) and 2 dedicated Feeder Berths (352m)
- Draft ranging from 12m to 15m (the Phase V extension specifically allows 15m depth)
- Over 600 plug points for perishables
- A dedicated bunker storage and supply facility managed by JCT Limited
- Navis N4 terminal operating system
- Trucks entering JCT are identified via RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags
- JCT uses global EDI standards to communicate instantly with international shipping lines, ensuring that vessel loading “Bay Plans” are accurate and ready well before a ship berths
Why shippers choose JCT
- Unmatched efficiency in “transhipment exchange” between regional feeders and mainline vessels
- The only terminal in Colombo with an in-house bunker storage subsidiary, offering “Load & Fuel” services in a single window
- Decades of operational maturity, resulting in highly experienced quay-side labour and technical teams
- Generally offers more competitive handling tariffs for regional carriers compared to the private deep-water terminals
- Vessels calling at JCT can undergo container operations and refuelling simultaneously or with minimal shifting
- It manages 14 storage tanks with a capacity of 38,200 metric tonnes, supporting both Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO) and Marine Gas Oil
Shipping lines & services
Hinterland connectivity
Rail & road
On-dock rail sidings enable the movement of containers to inland hubs such as Peliyagoda. Directly linked to the Port Access Elevated Highway (fully operational in 2026), allowing trucks to bypass the congested streets of Colombo 15 (Modara/Mutwal).
CFS & warehousing
JCT services a network of approximately 15–20 CFSs in the greater Colombo area, including the Peliyagoda and Veyangoda clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates JCT?
JCT is operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
What is the capacity of JCT?
Installed capacity is 1.5 million TEUs. It handles about 500,000 TEUs, or 33–40% utilisation.
What is the port code for JCT?
The UN/LOCODE-style port code is LKCMB.
Where is JCT located?
JCT is on the eastern side of the original harbour basin at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
How is JCT connected by rail and road?
On-dock rail sidings move containers to inland hubs such as Peliyagoda, and the Port Access Elevated Highway lets trucks bypass Colombo 15.
Which CFS facilities serve JCT?
JCT services approximately 15–20 CFSs in the greater Colombo area, including the Peliyagoda and Veyangoda clusters.
In the news
Classification
Source: South Asia Container Market Report 2026, p. 77. Last updated Jan 2026.
