Hambantota International Port Group

What Hambantota International Port Group does

Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt) Ltd. (HIPG) operates a deepwater multi-purpose port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, structured as a Public Private Partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka (through Sri Lanka Ports Authority) and China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort). HIPG runs a wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Hambantota International Port Services Company (HIPS), which handles navigation, pilotage, and marine operations. The port sits 10 nautical miles from the East–West shipping lanes carrying roughly 31,000 vessels annually, with a -17m draft that allows handling of ultra-large container vessels, and is positioned between Singapore and Fujairah on the Indian Ocean rim where ~50% of maritime oil is traded.

The service portfolio spans container, RoRo, breakbulk/bulk, project cargo, liquid bulk (LPG with planned LNG), bunkering with 80,000 m3 of tank storage, cruise terminal, marine services, integrated logistics, and a 228-hectare industrial park plus a 12-story Hambantota Maritime Center that hosts a BOI One-Stop-Shop. Technology is centered on operational systems — BTOS terminal operating system with bar-code scanning, the CM e-Port EDI platform, Honeywell EPKS tank control, CCTV surveillance, and E-Release customs e-clearance — rather than AI-driven differentiation.

HIPG monetizes primarily through per-TEU container handling, per-vessel RoRo charges, tonnage-based breakbulk tariffs, bunkering volume margins (in partnership with Sinopec), LPG storage fees (Laugfs), industrial-park land leases, and Maritime Center office rentals, with annual published tariff schedules. Go-to-market is direct B2B enterprise sales into global shipping lines (MSC, CMA CGM, Evergreen, ZIM, NYK, MOL, K Line), RoRo carriers (Hoegh, Glovis, Eukor), energy majors (Sinopec), and FDI tenants, supported by CMPort's 36-port global network.

Name

Hambantota International Port Group

Legal name

Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt) Ltd.

Website

https://hipg.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hambantota International Port Group operates a deepwater multi-purpose port in Sri Lanka under a PPP with SLPA and China Merchants Port Holdings, serving global container lines, RoRo carriers, energy firms, and industrial-park tenants with container, RoRo, bulk, bunkering, and logistics services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deep-water Port & Maritime Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Deep water port operations
• Container terminal services
• Maritime logistics services
• Bunkering and energy services
• Port investment facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Hambantota

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Container Terminal Operations: Container handling services including loading, unloading, and transshipment of containerized cargo. Revenue based on per-TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) handling charges. The port recently invested USD 108 million in Phase II container terminal development with ZPMC equipment to increase capacity to 2 million TEUs.
2. RoRo Services: Roll-on/Roll-off services for vehicles including transshipment and local vehicle imports. Revenue from vessel charges, storage, and value-added services for transhipment vehicles. HIP doubled RoRo volumes in 2018 with continued growth.
3. Breakbulk, Bulk and Project Cargo: Handling of conventional cargo, dry bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo including oversized equipment. Revenue based on cargo tonnage and handling complexity.
4. Energy Services (Bunkering): Bunkering services with 14 tanks, 80,000 m3 total storage capacity including VLSFO, MDO/MGO, and LPG. Strategic partnership with Sinopec for fuel supply. Tank farm located 1.2km from waterfront with pipeline connection to oil terminal.
5. Cruise Terminal Services: Dedicated cruise vessel berth and terminal services for tourist vessels visiting Sri Lanka.
6. LPG Operations: Liquefied Petroleum Gas storage and handling with 66,000m3 capacity (including Laugfs tank capacity). Laugfs commenced operations in August 2019.
7. Marine Services: Bunkering, ship repairs, ship chandling, sea marshals, underwater services, surveys, and crew changes for vessels calling at the port.
8. Port Investment Services (Industrial Park): 228-hectare industrial park for export-oriented FDI projects, including manufacturing, entrepot trade, offshore business, front-end services, and headquarters operations. Maritime Center with 12-story facility for shipping agencies and financial institutions.
9. Integrated Logistics: One-stop logistics platform offering warehouse management, transport, and materials handling tailor-made to customer requirements, including air and sea connectivity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hambantota International Port Group operates a deep-water, multi-purpose seaport at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, delivering a diversified range of marine and port services including RoRo, container cargo, conventional cargo, dry bulk, breakbulk, project cargo, liquid bulk (LPG, LNG), bunkering, petrochemicals, and cruise terminal handling. The group also runs a 228-hectare free-port industrial park and a 12-story Hambantota Maritime Center for export-oriented FDI, alongside integrated logistics and marine services (ship repairs, chandling, sea marshals, underwater services and crew changes).

Product overview

Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) operates as a multi-purpose deep-water port offering a comprehensive suite of port and maritime services. The port operates under a Public Private Partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort). The service portfolio centers on core port operations including RORO services, Container Cargo, Breakbulk/Bulk/Project Cargo, Cruise Terminal Services, Energy Services (bunkering with 80,000 m3 tank farm), and Marine Services. Supporting infrastructure includes an Industrial Park (228 hectares) for FDI projects and the 12-story Hambantota Maritime Center. Digital platforms include CM e-Port (enterprise management), BTOS (Bulk Terminal Operating System), ePass, and EZPort. The port also offers value-added services for transhipment vehicles and lay-up services. Operating 24/7 with a depth of 17m, HIP is strategically positioned 10 nautical miles from the East-West shipping route with capacity to handle the world's largest vessels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HIPS (Hambantota International Port Services): The services company responsible for port operations including navigation, pilotage, tugboat and marine services.

Products and services

• RoRo Services Roll-on/Roll-off services for transshipment and local vehicle imports, including bonded storage and value-added services such as restorations, upgrades, conversions, interior/exterior clean-ups, routine maintenance, certifications, and exhibitions for transhipment vehicles. Customers include Glovis, Hoegh Autoliners, Eukor, NYK Line, Seals Japan.
• Breakbulk, Bulk and Project Cargo Handling of conventional cargo, dry bulk, breakbulk, and oversized project cargo (including heavy and complex project cargo) at the deep-water port with 17m draft, on a 24/7 basis with multipurpose cargo handling capabilities.
• Cruise Terminal Services Dedicated cruise vessel berth and terminal services providing tourist information and excursion coordination for the Hambantota region's wildlife, beaches, and cultural heritage attractions.
• Energy Services (Bunkering) Comprehensive bunkering and energy hub services including 80,000 m3 tank farm storage (VLSFO, MDO/MGO, LPG), oil blending, IMO 2020-compliant fuel supply via Sinopec partnership, accredited fuel testing at the Intertek Caleb Brett petroleum laboratory, and future LNG operations (160,000 m3 planned).
• Marine Services Marine services for vessels calling at the port, including bunkering coordination, ship repairs, ship chandling, sea marshals, underwater services, surveys, and crew changes, ensuring customer fleets remain operationally ready.
• Port Investment Services - Industrial Park 228-hectare free-port industrial park facilitating export-oriented Foreign Direct Investment projects, including manufacturing (light, medium, heavy industries), entrepôt trade, offshore business, front-end services, and headquarters operations, plus property management for the Hambantota Maritime Center.
• Hambantota Maritime Center 12-story state-of-the-art export-oriented business platform offering office space to shipping agencies, financial institutions, technology companies, and conglomerates, with a Board of Investment (BOI) One-Stop-Shop (OSS) providing single-window government access on-site.
• Integrated Logistics One-stop integrated logistics platform providing warehouse management, transportation, and materials handling services tailor-made to customer requirements, with both air and sea connectivity options.
• QHSE Services Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) management services conforming to international standards across port operations.
• Security Services Port security services conforming to the latest international codes and conventions, including 24-hour CCTV surveillance (with night vision and zooming) and comprehensive insurance coverage.
• ePass Port Entry Permit System Electronic port entry permit system used by HIPG to manage personnel and vehicle access to port facilities.
• EZPort External Customer Platform Self-serve online platform allowing external customers to engage with HIPG port services for documentation, vessel calls and operational requests.
• CM e-Port Enterprise Platform Enterprise management platform used by shipping agents and HIPG operations to manage vessel calls, cargo handling workflows, and shipping documentation electronically, including EDI for Bill of Lading and TDR processing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,260 TEUs - Record single-vessel throughput with MSC Marie Leslie (April 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC)coreTechnology or Integration · 30 March 2026Equipment supplier for Phase II container terminal development. USD 108 million agreement signed for procurement of 6 quay cranes, 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), and 40 trailers.
• Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Government partner for Save Ali Pancha conservation program. Phase I implemented October 2022 - October 2023 supporting 25 orphaned elephant calves and conducting research on antimicrobial resistance in Sri Lanka's elephant populations.
• Intertek (Caleb Brett)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for petroleum laboratory services. Intertek established a state-of-the-art petroleum laboratory at HIP in 2021 following a 10-year partnership. This is the only internationally recognized and accredited private petroleum testing laboratory in Sri Lanka, qualified to test IMO 2020 global Sulphur protocol.
• LaugfsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2019LPG operations partner with 66,000m3 storage capacity. Commissioning of tanks to Laugfs was on April 24, 2019. Laugfs commenced LPG business in August 2019 and brought in their 100th vessel on September 17, 2020.
• Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in the Public Private Partnership structure. SLPA contributes government authority, regulatory oversight, and national port infrastructure coordination for the Hambantota International Port development project.
• China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner in the PPP. CMPort is the largest globally competitive public port developer, investor and operator in China with a network portfolio of 36 ports in 18 countries and 5 continents. CMPort brings expertise, capital investment, and global port network access to the partnership.
• SinopeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for bunkering operations. Sinopec is China's largest oil and petrochemical products supplier with storage capacity exceeding one million cubic meters and operations in 40 key ports worldwide. Sinopec Fuel Trading Company was established in partnership with BP in Singapore in 2015.
• Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject facilitator and technical conservation partner for Save Ali Pancha initiative. WNPS serves as the facilitating organization for the human-elephant conflict mitigation program.
• National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for vocational training and career guidance for youth in the Hambantota region. Focus on port-related vocational training and English language skills development.
• Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for career fairs, Chinese language classes program, and business community engagement. HDCC runs Chinese language learning program with Colombo University China Language Center.
• Colombo University China Language CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Chinese language classes in Hambantota district. Provides Chinese teachers for the language learning program targeting business community and tourism sector.
• Women's International Shipping and Trading Association - Sri Lanka (WISTA Sri Lanka)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mentoring and supporting young females in the maritime industry. HIP sponsors WISTA events and provides gender diversity awareness materials to vessels calling at the port.
• University of PeradeniyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for human-elephant conflict research study, providing feasibility analysis and sustainable solutions for the regional HEC issue.
• Hambantota District General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR partnership for health initiatives including nutrition programs for new mothers and cataract surgery sponsorship for area residents.
• Board of Investment (BOI) Sri LankamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner operating One-Stop-Shop (OSS) at Hambantota Maritime Center providing single-window facility and access to key government institutions for investors.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT): The closest direct competitor and counterpart port in Sri Lanka. CICT operates the South Asia Gateway Terminals container facility at the Port of Colombo under a CMPort-adjacent PPP model, competing head-on with HIPG for transshipment and mainline container calls in the same country.

Broad incumbents

• China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort): HIPG's parent company and one of the largest global port operators with 36 ports across 18 countries. Comparable as a multi-purpose port investor/operator with deep-water, RoRo, container, and bulk capabilities at numerous terminals — HIPG is effectively one node in CMPort's network.
• DP World: A global port operator with terminals worldwide including Jebel Ali (UAE) which directly competes for East-West lane bunkering and transshipment traffic. Comparable as a diversified port operator offering container, bulk, RoRo, and integrated logistics services across geographies.
• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ): India's largest port operator with deep-water terminals (Mundra, Vizhinjam, JNPT-adjacent). Directly competes with HIPG for South Asian transshipment volumes and Indian subcontinent feeder traffic; comparable as a multi-purpose port owner with industrial-park and logistics adjacencies.
• PSA International: Singapore's flagship global port operator handling the world's largest transshipment hub. PSA competes with HIPG for East-West lane containers and offers container, RoRo, and multi-purpose terminal services — the natural benchmark for hub-port operational performance.
• Hutchison Ports: Operates ports across 24 countries including deep-water container terminals in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Comparable as a multi-purpose port operator investing in ULCV-capable capacity and pursuing strategic positions along key shipping lanes.
• APM Terminals: Maersk's port-operating arm with a global terminal network. Directly comparable as a container-terminal specialist pursuing efficiency, automation, and integration with liner shipping operations — competing with HIPG for the same carrier customers.

Emerging players

• Vizhinjam International Seaport: India's first deep-water transshipment port (operational from 2025) strategically positioned to capture East-West lane volumes. Directly comparable to HIPG as a deep-water, ULCV-capable hub competing for the same transshipment flow HIPG targets.

Regional players

• Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA): The state-owned Sri Lankan port authority and HIPG's PPP partner. Operates the Port of Colombo directly and is the most relevant regional peer — sharing the same domestic operating environment and serving overlapping carrier customers.
• Port Klang Authority: Malaysia's primary deep-water port, a major regional transshipment competitor for East-West line containers. Comparable as a multi-purpose port offering container, bulk, and liquid cargo handling with deep-water draft and proximity to the main East-West lane.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/world.class.seaport
• Xx.com/hambantotaport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hambantota-international-port

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hambantota International Port Group