Colombo Port Container Congestion Resolved as Sri Lanka Customs Clears Backlog

Colombo, Sri Lanka – July 2025:

In a major development for Sri Lanka’s maritime and logistics sector, Sri Lanka Customs has officially announced that the container congestion at Colombo Port has been completely cleared, restoring smooth operations at the country’s busiest shipping terminal.

According to Customs Spokesman and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda, the Colombo Harbour container backlog was fully resolved by Wednesday morning, bringing much-needed relief to importers, exporters, and freight forwarders who were affected by the recent shipping delays.

Surge in Container Volume Caused Temporary Disruption

The Colombo Port, a vital logistics hub in South Asia, typically handles around 1,200 containers per day. However, last week saw an unexpected surge, with container arrivals spiking to 2,900 per day, overwhelming the port’s existing capacity and causing significant congestion.

“This sudden influx led to temporary delays in container clearance and port operations,” Arukgoda stated. “But thanks to the rapid efforts of Sri Lanka Customs and port authorities, the backlog has now been cleared, and daily cargo clearance has resumed its regular pace.”

Port Efficiency Restored for Import-Export Activities

With the Colombo Port congestion now under control, the customs clearance process has returned to normal, ensuring that international trade, supply chains, and logistics services operate without disruption. The swift resolution is expected to prevent any further demurrage costs, delivery delays, or cargo rerouting that had impacted regional trade routes.

Key Takeaways:

• Container congestion at Colombo Port fully resolved by Sri Lanka Customs
• Backlog caused by an increase from 1,200 to 2,900 containers per day
• Customs clearance operations have returned to standard flow
• Positive news for Sri Lanka’s import-export industry, shipping lines, and logistics companies

Strategic Importance of Colombo Port

The Port of Colombo is the main gateway for Sri Lanka’s international trade, strategically located on the East-West shipping route. Efficient port operations are crucial for the country's economic growth, maritime trade, and investor confidence.

This event highlights the need for ongoing port infrastructure upgrades, digitized customs systems, and better cargo forecasting to handle future surges in maritime traffic.