Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd inaugurated the Phase II expansion of its Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), doubling the facility's capacity to 3.2 million TEUs.

The expansion involved a total investment of USD 750 million and was flagged off by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya on September 30, 2026. This move strengthens CWIT’s ambition to handle nearly 25% of the Port of Colombo’s targeted 13 million TEU capacity by 2028.

Operational milestones and capacity details

The terminal has achieved significant operational speed since its inception. It recorded a historic feat by handling 2 million TEUs within its first 18 months of operation, building on its earlier record as the fastest terminal to handle 1 million TEUs in its inaugural year in 2024.

With the new capacity, CWIT can simultaneously berth three ultra-large container vessels. The facility is Sri Lanka’s first fully automated deep-water container terminal, designed for fully electrified operations with zero tailpipe emissions.

Strategic positioning in global trade

Ashwani Gupta, Whole-Time Director and CEO of APSEZ, stated that the capacity doubling is a direct statement of confidence from the company and global shipping lines. He noted that the expansion sharpens APSEZ’s position across key Indian Ocean trade corridors.

Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of John Keells Group, highlighted that reaching 2 million TEUs in 18 months reflects the strength of the partnership between APSEZ, John Keells Holdings, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The joint venture operates under a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession.

What the numbers show

The data reveals a rapid acceleration in throughput relative to infrastructure scaling. Handling 2 million TEUs in 18 months indicates an average monthly throughput of approximately 111,000 TEUs. By doubling capacity to 3.2 million TEUs annually (approx. 266,666 TEUs per month), the terminal creates substantial headroom to accommodate larger vessel sizes and increased transshipment volumes without immediate further capital expenditure. This aligns with the strategic goal to capture a quarter of the Port of Colombo’s projected 2028 volume target.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has agreed to pay a settlement amount of ₹37,05,000 to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This payment resolves proceedings related to alleged violations of listing regulations and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957.

The settlement order was passed under the SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations, 2018. It involves the company, its directors Gautam S. Adani and Rajesh S. Adani, and erstwhile directors Malay Mahadevia, Rajeeva Ranjan Sinha, and Sudipta Bhattacharya. The resolution was reached without any admission or denial of the findings of fact or conclusions of law by the involved parties.

Scope of Alleged Violations

The regulatory action pertained to specific breaches identified by SEBI. The alleged non-compliances included:

• Rule 19A of the Securities Contracts (Regulations) Rules, 1957.
• Clauses 35 and 40A of the erstwhile Listing Agreement.
• Regulations 31 and 38 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.
• Section 27(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992.
• Section 24(1) of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.

Financial Impact Assessment

The company disclosed that the total settlement amount is ₹37,05,000. This figure covers the liabilities for both the corporate entity and the named directors. Adani Ports stated that there is no material financial impact on the company arising from this settlement order.

Regulatory Context

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, which mandates timely reporting of material events. The settlement order serves as a mechanism to conclude enforcement proceedings where the regulator accepts a negotiated resolution. By settling, the parties avoid protracted litigation while maintaining their stance on the legal interpretations of the cited rules.