Baird Maritime - A new fully automated terminal developed with the participation of Chinese construction firm Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) has officially commenced operations at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), with its 1,400-metre quay and 20-metre depth, has a capacity of 3.2 million TEUs per year. As part of the automated terminal project, ZPMC provided eight STS cranes, 18 ARMG cranes, and essential auxiliary systems including equipment management for cranes and ARMGs, terminal operations, automated gates, real-time container positioning, and automated management of reefer containers.

ZPMC said the terminal's STS cranes are designed to handle ultra-large container vessels with capacities of up to 24,000 TEUs. The automated spreader system meanwhile effectively addresses challenges related to container height differences, longitudinal discrepancies, and angular deviations, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

CWIT is jointly owned by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, multinational conglomerate the John Keells Group, and Indian commercial port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone.