Hambantota International Port (HIP) recorded its highest-ever monthly throughput for both RoRo and containers in June 2026, handling 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 TEUs.
The record performance came as the Sri Lankan port strengthened operations amid uncertainty surrounding shipping routes in the Middle East. HIP increased capacity and worked closely with customers to ensure uninterrupted services as concerns over the Strait of Hormuz affected regional supply chains.
The port said its early operational planning and customer engagement helped attract additional cargo while giving shipping lines and cargo owners greater confidence in its ability to handle rising volumes.
Wilson Qu, Chief Executive Officer of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), said the June results reflected the port’s ability to anticipate market changes and provide customers with reliable alternatives during periods of uncertainty.
The latest milestone builds on HIP’s strong performance in 2025, when total cargo throughput surged 175% to 8.24 million tonnes. Container volumes also increased significantly, rising from 53,169 TEUs in 2024 to 428,036 TEUs in 2025.
To support continued growth, HIP has expanded its infrastructure this year. The port doubled its RoRo yard capacity and increased container yard space by 30%. It has also committed US$108 million to new container handling equipment as part of plans to raise annual container terminal capacity to 2 million TEUs.
Container operations have continued to gain momentum in 2026. In April, HIP achieved a new single-vessel record by handling 13,260 TEUs from the MSC Marie Leslie, surpassing two previous records set earlier this year.
Located just 10 nautical miles from the main East-West shipping route, Hambantota International Port continues to expand its role as a regional hub for RoRo, container, bulk and breakbulk cargo, supported by investments in capacity and operational efficiency.
