Category: Shipping and Transport
HIP Welcomes Over 2,000 Thai Cruise Passengers, Signalling a New Growth Market for Sri Lanka
2,100 Thai cruise passengers arrived at Hambantota International Port (HIP) this week aboard the MV Celebrity Millennium. The call points to the emergence of Thailand as a promising new market for Sri Lanka’s cruise tourism. The Malta-flagged Celebrity Millennium, operated by Celebrity Cruises, arrived from Phuket on 2 February 2026 with 2,171 passengers and 969 […]
Port City Colombo Moves Into Active Development as Its First Residential Project Breaks Ground
Sri Lanka’s most ambitious urban development project reached a critical execution milestone, as construction officially commenced on the first residential development within Port City Colombo. The milestone marks the transition of the country’s flagship Special Economic Zone (SEZ) from regulatory readiness to active private-sector delivery. The project, Bay One Residences Colombo, is being developed by […]
HIP Initiates Sri Lanka’s First Fully Automated Paperless Port Gate Pass
Hambantota International Port (HIP) has launched its Automated Gate Pass Management System (AGPMS), becoming the first port in Sri Lanka to introduce a fully automated, QR-code-based, paperless gate pass solution. The initiative marks a major step forward in HIP’s digital transformation, strengthening efficiency, security, and access control across port operations. The system was officially inaugurated […]
Hambantota International Port Records 175-pct Cargo Growth in 2025
Hambantota International Port (HIP) closed 2025 with a landmark performance, recording a 175% year-on-year increase in total cargo volumes despite what has been widely recognised as one of the most challenging years for the global port industry. HIP handled 8.24 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, up from 3.0 million metric tonnes in 2024, […]
Hambantota International Port Remains Fully Operational Despite Extreme Weather
As Sri Lanka experiences one of the worst flood situations recorded in its history, which has crippled national infrastructure and forced operations to suspend at the Port of Colombo, Hambantota International Port (HIP) has remained fully operational, reinforcing its strategic importance as the country’s second major commercial hub. Although Hambantota also faced heavy rains, it […]
New Container Inspection Yard at Hambantota International Port with Rs. 1 Bn Investment
Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) is proceeding with the development of a new, purpose-built Container Inspection Yard within the Hambantota International Port (HIP) premises. The Rs. 1 billion project represents a significant private-sector investment and to be developed by Rank Container Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (RCT). This new facility is designed to serve as a centralised […]
Agreement signed for Port City’s first Commercial Office Development, the iconic Colombo Gateway
In Colombo, a new era of modern office infrastructure is set to begin at Port City Colombo with the development of Colombo Gateway Tower One, led by a consortium of investors spearheaded by Canary Wharf Holdings Pte Ltd based in Singapore. Canary Wharf is the development arm of Investment Advisory firm Platinum Advisors Pte Ltd, […]
U.S. Embassy Delegation Visits Hambantota International Port
A high-level delegation from the Embassy of the United States in Sri Lanka made a courtesy call to Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently. The delegation, led by Ms Jayne Howell, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, also included Dustin R. Bickel, Regional Indo-Pacific Strategy Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, Senior Defence Official, and […]
Terra Motors, Japan’s Leading EV Innovator, Enters Sri Lanka with Electric Three-wheeler
Terra Motors, a leading Japanese electric mobility company, has announced its entry into the Sri Lankan market with the launch of its flagship electric three-wheeler, Kyoro. It is Terra Motors’ next-generation electric three-wheeler, built for both passenger mobility and last-mile logistics. With a top speed of over 55 km/h, an extended range of up to […]
Mahindra Ideal Finance rolls out revolving credit solution for multi brand vehicle importers and SMEs
Mahindra Ideal Finance Ltd. (MIFL), one of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing finance company, today announced the launch of the MIFL Revolving Business Loan – a customized loan facility designed to address the short-term working capital needs of multi brand vehicle importers and other SME business owners across the country. The MIFL Revolving Loan product has […]
Maersk Line Strengthens Ties with SLPA Terminals; Signs Three-Year Terminal Service Agreement
In a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub, Maersk Line has signed a three-year Terminal Service Agreement (TSA) with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The agreement is expected to foster business growth, enhance operational efficiency, and pave the way for stronger collaboration between the global shipping leader and […]
New Zealand High Commissioner Explores Opportunities at Hambantota International Port
New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, David Gregory Pine, visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) on August 11, 2025, to gain firsthand knowledge on its development and growing international relevance. Accompanying him was Rasika Sumudhu Jayasinghe, Policy Adviser at the High Commission. The delegation was taken on a tour of HIP’s state-of-the-art facilities and […]