HIP Expands RoRo Capacity with New Yard, Strengthening Position on East–West Trade Lane

Hambantota International Port (HIP) has commissioned a new six-hectare Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) yard as part of Stage I of Phase II of its RoRo yard expansion programme, marking a significant step in the port’s long-term automotive transhipment strategy.

The newly completed yard increases vehicle parking capacity to 4,500 units per terminal space, easing pressure on existing storage areas while improving yard planning, traffic circulation and operational efficiency. The expansion is designed to deliver faster vessel turnaround times and higher productivity, reinforcing HIP’s growing role as a regional automotive logistics hub.

In 2025, HIP handled 726,153 vehicles, reflecting sustained growth in transhipment volumes across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Building on this momentum, the port is targeting an expansion of its RoRo handling capacity towards 1 million vehicles annually in the coming development phases.

Commenting on the milestone, Wilson Qu, CEO of HIPG says, “This expansion represents a key phase in HIP’s long-term automotive logistics development. The additional capacity will reduce congestion, enable faster vessel turnaround times and significantly enhance productivity. More importantly, it strengthens our value proposition to global RoRo operators seeking efficient transhipment solutions along the main East–West trade corridor.”

Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the main East–West shipping lane, HIP offers significant deviation savings compared to many regional ports. Its position provides direct connectivity to South Asia’s growing vehicle export markets while serving as a consolidation and redistribution hub for cargo moving between Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

HIP’s deep-water berths and dedicated RoRo terminals are capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs). Continuous investments in yard capacity, modern handling equipment and digital yard management systems have enabled the port to scale volumes while maintaining operational reliability and service consistency.

The commissioning of Stage I of Phase II reflects HIP’s structured, multi-phase expansion approach aimed at aligning infrastructure growth with rising regional automotive flows. Construction of Stage II of Phase II is already underway and is scheduled for commissioning in the second quarter of this year, further strengthening capacity and operational resilience.

On the same day as the commissioning ceremony, two additional RoRo services for HIP were announced by NYK, reiterating continued industry confidence in the port’s expanding automotive platform.

With global automotive supply chains increasingly dependent on strategically located transhipment hubs, HIP’s latest expansion reinforces its competitive edge, combining deviation efficiency, regional market access and scalable infrastructure to support sustained growth in vehicle logistics across the Indian Ocean region.