How about a journey through time at the Port of Colombo? It is not just a port. It is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of ancient trade routes, colonial encounters and modern ambition.
The Port of Colombo’s story stretches back over 2000 years. Roman, Arab and Chinese traders knew it well. They sailed here to trade spices. By the 8th century Arab Muslim traders had settled here. They used Colombo as a base for their trade. Today their descendants make up the local Sri Lankan Moor community.
In 1505 the Portuguese arrived. King Parakamabahu VIII gave them the right to trade cinnamon. The Portuguese expelled the Muslims. Then they began building a fort in 1517. They knew controlling the island was vital. The Portuguese used royal rivalries between the kingdoms. When the Kingdom of Kotte fell, the Portuguese controlled the coast. They made the Port of Colombo their capital. That area of the city is still called Fort.
In 1638 the Dutch signed a treaty with Rajasinghe II of Kandy. They promised help in the Kandyan King’s war. The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1656. The Dutch controlled the area until 1796. The Port of Colombo was also the capital of the Dutch Maritime Provinces.
The British arrived in 1796. They made the Port the capital of their new colony Ceylon. They built houses and civilian buildings instead of a military center. This gave birth to the modern Port of Colombo. The British created the Municipal Council in 1865. This was to teach the locals self-governance. In 1912 the Port was converted into a sheltered harbour.
After independence in 1948 the Port saw dramatic changes. The Queen Elizabeth Quay opened in 1954. Sixteen alongside berths, transit sheds and warehouses were added. In 1958 The Port Corporation was founded.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority was created in 1980. The harbour transformed to handle containerised cargo. This happened in the early 1980s. By the late 1990s the port was a major regional hub. The main channel deepened to 15 meters. In 1996 annual handling reached one million TEUs.
In 2003 the Colombo Port Maritime Museum opened. In 2004 the Port handled 2.2 million TEUs. Now the port handles 15% of transshipment cargo in South Asia. In 2016 Colombo port surpassed Nhava Sheva Harbour. It became the largest and busiest container port in South Asia.
The Port of Colombo commenced a large-scale expansion project in 2008. The cost was US$1.2 billion. The project increased the annual container handling capacity. It went from four million TEUs to approximately twelve million TEUs. The Colombo South Container Terminal is built by Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. In 2021 Adani Ports signed an agreement for the West Container Terminal.
Today the Port of Colombo has three container terminals. They are Jaya Container Terminal, South Asia Gateway Terminals and Unity Container Terminal. These terminals operate round the clock. Port facilities include feeder berths and container berths. There are also quay cranes and super-Post Panamax cranes.
The Port of Colombo is more than just a place of trade. It is a symbol of Sri Lanka’s enduring spirit. It is a testament to its strategic importance in the world. As we stand here we are witnessing history. We are watching the future unfold. The Port of Colombo continues to evolve. It continues to connect the world.