US Announces US$17 Million Investment to Digitise Colombo Port Operations
COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — The United States has announced a US$17 million investment to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, aiming to accelerate cargo handling, reduce shipping delays and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a key maritime trade hub in the Indian Ocean.
According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the project will be implemented in partnership with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), introducing digital systems powered by American technology to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs across port-related activities.
The investment will support the development of two interconnected platforms: a Maritime Single Window and a Port Community System. These systems are expected to streamline cargo processing by enabling shipping companies, Customs officials, immigration authorities, port operators and businesses to exchange information electronically.
By reducing paperwork and improving coordination among agencies, the initiative aims to minimise delays caused by fragmented procedures and make cargo movement through Colombo more efficient and predictable.
The US Embassy noted that the Port of Colombo handles an estimated US$30 billion in US-related cargo annually, highlighting its importance to international supply chains and trade between the United States and markets across South Asia.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said more than 500,000 containers carrying US-bound and US-origin cargo pass through the port each year, representing billions of dollars in trade.
He said improving port efficiency and lowering shipping costs would strengthen supply chains, benefit American businesses and consumers, and create commercial opportunities for US technology companies involved in the digital transformation.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said modernising port operations was essential to maintaining Colombo’s competitiveness as a regional maritime hub.
He added that the project would strengthen trade facilitation, attract business and improve Sri Lanka’s connectivity with international markets.
SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake also welcomed the investment, noting that the new systems would improve coordination among organisations involved in port operations and enable the authority to provide more efficient and predictable services to shipping lines and customers.
Beyond its operational benefits, the project is expected to open opportunities for American technology providers to supply the hardware, software and technical expertise required for the digital upgrade. The US Embassy said an open and competitive selection process would be conducted to appoint an implementing partner.
The investment comes as ports increasingly rely on integrated digital platforms to manage growing trade volumes, coordinate logistics and improve the reliability of cargo movements. For Colombo, more efficient processing could strengthen its appeal to shipping lines and businesses that depend on timely connections between regional markets and global trade routes.
The US Embassy said the initiative would support critical international trade routes, strengthen American supply chains and reinforce Sri Lanka’s role as an important maritime trading partner in the Indian Ocean.
