Construction began on 12 January 2022 under the patronage of President H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa. This extension will see the length of the terminal increase to 1,320 metres.

The project is scheduled to be completed on 4 July 2022.

 Once completed, the facility will consist of 12 giant cranes and 40 normal cranes, to be supplied by China’s Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC).

Ports Minister Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena has said the development will cost around $1 billion, set to be financed by local funds.

“An extent of 420m of the Eastern Terminal has already been completed so far. Once completed, the terminal, which will be 1,320m in length, contributes the SLPA to handle 14 million BTU annually. At present the SLPA handles 7 million BTU annually,” said the Minister.

The construction contract of this project was awarded to the Sri Lankan-based Access Engineering and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The national cabinet meeting held on 23 November approved the proposal from CHEC for phase two terminal out of three bids.

“The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the minister of Ports and Shipping to award the said procurement to Access Engineering Company and CHEC Ltd on the recommendation of the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee,” the Cabinet statement wrote.

Colombo Port is a prominent container port on the east-west sea route in South Asia.

 Colombo is the largest port in Sri Lanka and handles 90% of the country’s seaborne goods.