Hambantota International Port (HIP) will expand its container operations with the introduction of advanced crane technology in February 2025 as part of a broader strategy to enhance Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in global maritime trade and capture untapped markets. Hambantota International Ports Group (HIPG) CEO Wilson Qu outlined the port’s strategic initiatives, which include onshore and offshore efforts designed to position HIP as a key player in the regional logistics sector.

The port’s coastal strategy has already been successful with the new agreement to set up a sponge mattress factory in its industrial zone. The plant, aimed at export markets in the USA, Europe and Canada, is the first of several expected agreements aimed at boosting HIP’s industrial base. The region is expected to create significant job opportunities and develop partnerships between local and international businesses.

In addition to offshore development, HIP is entering the relay cargo market, a strategic move to improve operational efficiency by transferring cargo between ships at an intermediate port. The initiative is part of the port’s efforts to capture a greater share of regional container traffic, particularly BIMSTEC countries, where more than 70% of containerized cargo currently bypasses Sri Lanka.

HIPG’s focus on transhipment enables the port to transport cargo, optimize shipping routes, reduce transit times and attract new customers. The port is targeting 10 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container throughput between 2025 and 2026, positioning itself as a hub for regional and global shipping.