Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd functions as the primary operator and manager of a strategic deep-water maritime facility situated on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The entity operates as a public-private partnership structure, established through a joint venture between China Merchants Port Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The company is responsible for the comprehensive commercial, operational, and administrative management of the port, capitalizing on a geographic location that sits approximately ten nautical miles from the principal east-west global shipping lane. This proximity allows the organization to serve as a critical connector for maritime traffic moving between the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca, effectively linking economies across South Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East.
The company oversees a multi-purpose port complex designed to handle a wide array of cargo categories and vessel types. A significant portion of its operational focus is dedicated to Roll-on/Roll-off logistics, where it functions as a major transshipment hub for the global automotive industry. This capability facilitates the discharge, storage, and redistribution of vehicles destined for various international markets. Beyond the automotive sector, the group manages extensive infrastructure for dry bulk, break bulk, and specialized project cargo. The deep-water nature of the harbor enables the company to accommodate large-scale vessels, providing essential docking and handling services for high-volume trade that cannot access shallower regional ports.
Energy services constitute another core pillar of the company’s maritime portfolio. The organization controls a substantial tank farm and oil jetty system, allowing it to engage in liquid bulk logistics and marine bunkering operations. By supplying marine fuels and energy products, the company services vessels traversing the Indian Ocean, significantly minimizing diversion times for ships requiring replenishment. To ensure safety and efficiency within the harbor, the group coordinates closely with its subsidiary, Hambantota International Port Services, which provides navigational support, pilotage, and security. Since assuming control of operations in 2017 under a long-term agreement, the company has focused on integrating port logistics with adjacent industrial zones, aiming to streamline supply chains for reliable maritime commerce and industrial development throughout the region.
