The US, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are tightening their grip on regional maritime dominance, with a high-level virtual forum on 12 August setting the stage for a wave of port and logistics investments. The event brought together US ambassadors, officials from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the US Commercial Service, and senior representatives from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Maldives Ports Limited. The message? Colombo is positioning itself as the transshipment kingpin of the Indian Ocean—and the US is all in.
Colombo’s ambitions are no small feat. The SLPA laid out a bold vision to boost the port’s container handling capacity to 25 million TEUs by 2030. That’s a massive leap from today’s 6 million TEUs, and it hinges on megaprojects like the West Container Terminal, East Container Terminal, and North Port. But the SLPA isn’t stopping there. Trincomalee’s industrial makeover, the Galle Port cruise terminal, and the rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour are all on the table, along with a push for hybrid equipment, digital systems, and renewable energy integration.
The DFC, with an Indo-Pacific portfolio valued at $8.88 billion, is ready to back these plans with debt financing and political risk insurance. The forum also spotlighted opportunities for US private sector players in logistics, infrastructure, marine services, and tech integration. It’s a clear signal that the US is betting big on Sri Lanka’s maritime future—and by extension, the Maldives’ role in the regional supply chain.
This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about strategy. Colombo’s expansion could reshape transshipment routes, challenging Singapore and other hubs in the Indian Ocean. And with the SLPA delegation recently visiting the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to explore cooperation on operations, digital innovation, and sustainability, the race for maritime supremacy is heating up.
The big question now is execution. Can Sri Lanka deliver on its ambitious plans? And how will regional players respond? One thing’s clear: the US is placing its chips on Colombo, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.