Hambantota Port posts 175% cargo growth in 2025
Hambantota International Port (HIP) achieved significant growth in 2025, demonstrating resilience and impressive expansion despite a challenging global port industry landscape. The port recorded a remarkable 175% year-on-year increase in total cargo volumes, with throughput surging to 8.24 million metric tonnes, up from 3.0 million metric tonnes in 2024. This substantial growth was driven by strong performance across container, RORO, and bulk cargo segments, a notable accomplishment given the prevailing volatility, congestion, and increased costs impacting global trade.
Container traffic was the primary catalyst for this impressive gain. Container volumes escalated dramatically from 53,170 TEUs in 2024 to 428,036 TEUs in 2025. Correspondingly, containerized cargo tonnage climbed from 657,504 metric tonnes to 5.43 million metric tonnes, positioning HIP as a rapidly emerging hub for container throughput.
To accommodate this escalating demand, HIP is actively expanding its capacity. The second phase of port development, slated for completion by the end of 2026, will increase annual container capacity to approximately 2 million TEUs. This expansion includes the addition of four dedicated container berths, six quay cranes, and sixteen rubber-tyred gantry cranes.
RORO operations also experienced robust growth, with HIP handling 726,153 units in 2025, an increase from 579,362 units in the previous year. RORO tonnage rose by 25% to 965,783 metric tonnes, bolstered by strong volumes in automotive and project cargo.
Furthermore, bulk and break bulk cargo saw a 32% increase, reaching 1.18 million metric tonnes, reinforcing the port’s critical role in industrial and infrastructure supply chains. While oil and gas volumes remained relatively stable at 661,131 metric tonnes, this reflects the softer conditions in energy markets.
“2025 was not an easy year to be a port,” stated Wilson Qu, CEO of Hambantota International Port Group. “These results are a testament to the confidence our customers place in us, our operational flexibility, and the unwavering dedication of our team.”
HIP enters 2026 with considerable momentum, poised to continue its growth trajectory across all key segments—container, RORO, and bulk—while steadfastly supporting regional trade and economic development.