Hambantota Port Moves 167,569 Vehicles Across 2025-26

Hambantota International Port delivered 167,569 vehicles between March and December 2025 and through September 2026, keeping Sri Lankan importers supplied through import restrictions and, more recently, disruption to vehicle transhipment in the Gulf region.

The 2025 leg of the run came in at 86,389 vehicles — 30,809 brand new and 55,580 used units — between March and December, according to port operator HIPG. A further 81,180 vehicles moved through September 2026, split 25,018 new and 56,162 used. Used units dominated both periods, accounting for roughly two-thirds of throughput.

Why does the number matter?

The volumes landed during two separate stress events. First, Sri Lanka's vehicle import restrictions left customers' cars sitting at the port far longer than normal. HIPG said it responded with demurrage waivers and concessions to keep storage bills from piling up on stranded stock.

Then, disruptions to vehicle transhipment through the Gulf region hit the flow of units. HIPG's answer this time was a storage cap mechanism for affected vehicles, designed to manage storage costs and give importers cost predictability while the disruption ran its course. For importers financing inventory on the ground, a capped storage liability is the difference between a forecastable landed cost and an open-ended one.

Who is on the other side of the counter?

The Vehicle Importers' Association of Lanka — more than 450 members spanning established companies and micro, small and medium enterprises across Sri Lanka — recognised the port's responsiveness, operational flexibility and practical support in addressing the challenges its members faced.

HIPG CEO Wilson Qu framed the numbers as the product of that relationship. He described close dialogue with VIAL as essential to understanding customers' operational needs and responding effectively as market conditions change, and said the relationship reflects the port's commitment to efficient vehicle handling and supply chain continuity.

General Manager Commercial and Marketing Bindu Ranasinghe pointed to the commercial logic behind the concessions. She highlighted the focus on helping customers manage costs through practical measures while building long-term trust — an acknowledgement that in a used-vehicle import market dominated by smaller players, storage economics decide who survives a disruption.

VIAL President Sampath Merenchige returned the compliment, expressing appreciation for the port's willingness to provide timely operational solutions and flexibility in support of its members.

What's next for the gateway?

The trajectory of the volumes themselves tells the story: 81,180 vehicles in the nine months to September 2026 nearly matched the 86,389 moved across the longer March-to-December 2025 window, and the used-vehicle share rose from 64% to 69% between the two periods. If Gulf transhipment routes normalise and the storage cap mechanism rolls off, Hambantota's vehicle delivery pace — already running near 9,000 units a month — points to further growth in its roll-on roll-off business.