Sri Lanka Maritime Transport Profile 2026
Outline
SRI LANKA
MARITIME TRANSPORT PROFILE
Supported by:
Maritime assets
Port area in 2025
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Ships built by country of building, annual
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Merchant fleet by country of beneficial ownership, annual
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Trade - Navigation total
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Water transport employment
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Activity
Container port throughput
Port call and performance statistics
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Trade mode share
Port Activity
Trade openness index
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Seafarer supply
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Top 10 Freight Transport Expenditure in USD (Import)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight transport work in thousand ton-km (Import)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight Transport Expenditure in USD (Export)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight transport work in thousand ton-km (Export)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Connectivity and performance
LPI
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Liner shipping connectivity index
Port liner shipping connectivity index
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Bilateral liner shipping connectivity index
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Trade cost
Container port performance index
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Remoteness index
Sustainable freight transport index
Percent of firms identifying transport as a major constraint
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Shipping emissions
EDGAR GHG 2025
Transport energy consumption
EDGAR AP 8.1
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GAINS emissions
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Adaptation and resilience
Average annual loss
Port risk
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Investment on ports
Development financing
Private participation in infrastructure
Policy Targets
Employment in transport, communication, and storage
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2030 |
Female economic empowerment and workforce participation
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2030 |
Shipping improvement - General
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2030 |
Shipping port infrastructure improvements
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2030 |
Transport access improvement - General
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2030 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2030 |
Policy Measures
| Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | Freight rail infrastructure improvement | strengthening port-rail freight systems | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Transport access improvement - General | Ensure 100% of industrial zones, ports, airports, and logistics hubs are linked by 2030 | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Logistics customs and border procedures | Streamlining Customs clearance processes and Digitalizing (Development of Custom Inspection Yards, National Single Window System, Port Community System, Truck appointment system, Port Automation) | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Female economic empowerment and workforce participation | Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Sustain continuous investments in the Port of Colombo to strengthen its competitiveness, attract major shipping lines, and expand highvalue logistics services, reinforcing its role as a regional maritime hub. Value Adding Services at sea port (Packaging, Labeling, Cold chain logistics, Quality control inspections). | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Reduce to 1.17 days by 2030; aim for quicker turnaround to improve competitiveness (Baseline 2024 = 1.5) Colombo ranked 28th in Container Port Performance Index (2022) = Climb to 25th position by 2030 with better operations, digitization, and customer service | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Shipping improvement - General | Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) = Improve to 700 by 2030 through enhanced routes, capacity, and frequency (Baseline 2024 = 658) Logistics Performance (Shipping) - International Shipment Rank: 75th out of 140 (LPI) - Improve to 70th position, enhancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation Ship Registration & Flagging - Enter the Top 50 ship registries worldwide by modernizing registry laws and attracting international vessels. Prioritize targeted investments in the Port of Hambantota to establish a shipping-related industrial zone, focusing on shipbuilding and repair, LPG distribution, and integrated warehousing facilities to position the port as a multi-purpose maritime hub. | 2025 |
| PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | Employment in transport, communication, and storage | 16,000 active Sri Lankan seafarers (2024) - Increase to 25,000 qualified and globally competitive seafarers | 2025 |
| Sri Lanka. National Communication (NC). NC 3. | Inland waterways (IWT) improvement - General | Megalopolis and Western Development Master Plan where proposed interventions in the Plan would improve transportation and thus reduce GHG emissions in the long run. This entails: (a) more flexible working hours; (b) vehicle parking management; (c) intersection control; (d) traffic flow management; (e) public transport improvement; (f) restructuring public bus service; (g) modernization and improvement of the quality of the buses and services; (h) improvement of office and school bus services; (i) regulation and improvement of door-to-door taxi service; (j) development of multi modal transport hubs; (k) railway electrification and modernization; (l) new rapid transit systems; (m) introduction of new water transit system in inland water ways; (n) capacity improvement by development of road links; (o) capacity improvement in existing expressway network; (p) improvement of walkability in roads; (q) intersection controls to reduce vehicle emissions; (r) construction of new expressways; (s) encouraging bicycle use for travelling; (t) increase of electric vehicle rapid charging centres; (u) encouraging the use of electric vehicle through tax incentives offered; and (v) encouraging online services such as e-commerce, e-education and other consumer services which reduce vehicles on the roads and railways | 2022 |
| Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - LKA | Green shipping program | Study the impact of shipping on GHG emissions (coastal traffic and ports) depending on evidence-based information and introduce measures to address the issues Promote sea transportation Include climate change measures in maritime policy making | 2021 |
| Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - LKA | Inland waterways (IWT) improvement - General | Introduce canal-based water transport using diesel or grid electricity-powered boat service for selected canal routes | 2021 |
| Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - LKA | Shipping efficiency improvements | Introduce energy efficiency measures and fuel quality improvement programmes to coastal shipping and fishing boats and vessels | 2021 |
| Updated Nationally Determined Contributions - LKA | Transport international conventions - General | Ratify Annex VI of MARPOL convention to enforce provisions in Sri Lanka | 2021 |
| Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | Shipping improvement - General | improve export facilitation and port development | 2019 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Airport infrastructure improvement | Increased capacities of ports and airports to provide value added services through MCC, LCL destuffing, e-commerce and commercial hub activities | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Development of logistics plan/policy | A key focus of the Strategy is on reforming the logistics ecosystem by adjusting key regulations such as the Sri Lanka Port Authority Act, Electronic Transactions Act and Commercial Hub Regulations in order to increase the sophistication and quality of services Streamline regulatory and institutional reforms to improve Sri Lanka's attractiveness as a logistics hub servicing Asia. | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Development of shipping/ maritime/ inland water transport (IWT) plan/ policy | Ensure development of the following new regulations: • Develop new maritime anti-trust laws in line with international best practices to establish Sri Lanka as a maritime nation. • Draft an umbrella law defining the whole NQI and institutions' interactions, including conformity assessment. | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Development of shipping/ maritime/ inland water transport (IWT) plan/ policy | Previous sector development was mainly concentrated on hard infrastructure –driven by many government policies and support from international partners – including projects such as the Urban Transport Master Plan for Colombo Metropolitan Region and Suburbs, megaprojects like the development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and Hambantota Port, and national master plans for ports, railways and roads | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Freight intermodality - General | The NES also recommends provision of adequate facilities – such as warehouses, bonded logistics centres, common user facilities and improved rail connections between ports and airports | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Logistics hub | The NES also recommends provision of adequate facilities – such as warehouses, bonded logistics centres, common user facilities and improved rail connections between ports and airports | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Increased capacities of ports and airports to provide value added services through MCC, LCL destuffing, e-commerce and commercial hub activities | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Previous sector development was mainly concentrated on hard infrastructure –driven by many government policies and support from international partners – including projects such as the Urban Transport Master Plan for Colombo Metropolitan Region and Suburbs, megaprojects like the development of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and Hambantota Port, and national master plans for ports, railways and roads With other major commercial ports being expanded and developed, such as Hambantota for bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo | 2018 |
| The National Export Strategy (NES) of Sri Lanka | Vehicle manufacturing | • A full range of services for the full boat life cycle: assembling, refuelling, refit and repair services for various types of boats. • Expanding production of recreational boats for export to the EU market and emerging regional markets (Maldives, Singapore, Viet Nam, Kenya). • Production of new boat models for the fishing and boating industry | 2018 |
| BUDGET SPEECH - 2018 | Research in transport sector | Will establish a Centre for Naval Studies and Shipping at the Ruhuna University. | 2018 |
| BUDGET SPEECH - 2018 | Shipping improvement - General | The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act, No. 51 of 1979 and the Merchants Shipping Act, No. 52 of 1971 will be amended to cater to the demands of the modern day logistics and marine industry. This will also ensure healthy competition, an independent Ports regulator will be introduced. Restrictions on the foreign ownership on the shipping and the freight forwarding agencies will be lifted. This will enable major international shipping lines and logistics operators to base their operations in Sri Lanka. | 2018 |
| Public Investment Program 2021 | Development of shipping/ maritime/ inland water transport (IWT) plan/ policy | According to the already prepared National PortsMaster Plan (NPMP), port infrastructure will be developed. To meet the current and future demand individual master plans will bedeveloped. | 2017 |
| National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | Inland waterways (IWT) improvement - General | Improve and expand inland water transport, coastal shipping and domestic air transport where appropriate. Identify origins and destination where inland water, coastal shipping or domestic air can provide faster access at a reasonable cost or can divert road traffic to ease congestion. | 2017 |
| National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | Shipping improvement - General | Improve and expand inland water transport, coastal shipping and domestic air transport where appropriate. Identify origins and destination where inland water, coastal shipping or domestic air can provide faster access at a reasonable cost or can divert road traffic to ease congestion. | 2017 |
| Public Investment Program 2021 | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | The East Container Terminal (ECT), West Container Terminal (WCT) 1 and 2 and the North Port will be built to take capacity expansion forward. Other major ports including Trincomalee, Galle and Kankesanthurai will be developed to facilitate the regional demand. Bring in required changes and efficiencies to improve the business climate of theindustry and re-visit the processes and procedures involved in regulatory requirements. Facilitating industrial port development Development of yacht marina and passenger terminal facilities o Introduction of paperless trading to increase the efficiency with new technologies such as Port Community Systems. o Minimizing turnaround time of a ship with efficient equipment and technologies o Increase the handling capacity of ports by constructing dry port facilities in particular location. Some feasible locations have already been identified for this purpose namely Peliyagoda, Enderamulla, Veyangoda and Ratmalana. o Value addition is an important item in international trade. Cargo villages will be developed to facilitate the value addition for particularly transshipped items. Congestion due to port operation inside the port and the road network around the port will be minimized. Close relationships will be continued with road development agencies and Railway Department to improve the port- hinterland connectivity Private sector involvement in financing port and other infrastructure works is encouraged. For financing these facilities, sophisticated tools will be introduced and solid legal conditions will be ensured to be satisfied. | 2017 |
| Public Investment Program 2021 | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Capacity increase of terminals and introduction of new technology for container handling of Colombo port will be continued. | 2017 |
| First Nationally Determined Contributions | EV - General | Introduce electrified three - wheelers to reduce emissions, Introduce electrified boat service, Introduce electric buses, Introduce other electrified vehicles such as cars | 2016 |
| First Nationally Determined Contributions | Inland waterways (IWT) improvement - General | Introduce a canal transport system | 2016 |
| First Nationally Determined Contributions | Maritime Safety | Implement international laws and regulations on maritime safety & security related to climate change, Maintain international standards related to climate change in maritime transportation. | 2016 |
| First Nationally Determined Contributions | Shipping improvement - General | Implement international laws and regulations on maritime safety & security related to climate change, Maintain international standards related to climate change in maritime transportation. | 2016 |