Hambantota International Port (HIP) has expanded capacity as shipping volumes surge due to disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis.
The port doubled its RoRo yard capacity and increased container yard capacity by 30%. Shipping lines are diverting vessels away from affected routes and turning to alternative hubs.
Surge in volumes
Vehicle transhipment and container volumes have reached record levels. Yard utilisation is now at its highest in HIP’s history.
Wilson Qu said the shift reflects changing global shipping patterns. He added that HIP is scaling operations to meet demand and support reliable trade flows.
Strategic location advantage
The port sits just 10 nautical miles from the main East–West shipping route. This allows vessels to divert with minimal disruption.
HIP expanded yard space quickly to handle higher volumes while maintaining efficiency.
Growing regional role
The expansion strengthens HIP’s role as a key transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean. It also highlights how geopolitical tensions are reshaping global trade routes.
The port is expected to capture a larger share of regional cargo flows as demand for alternative logistics hubs grows.
