Port guide · UN/LOCODE LK CMB
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka · 6.95° N, 79.85° E
The World Port Index classes Colombo as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the Laccadive Sea. It records a channel depth of 16 m and a cargo pier depth of 18 m. Norfolk is 14,550 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 16 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 18 m
- Max vessel length
- 400 m
- From Norfolk
- 14,550 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Trincomalee Harbor230 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 400 m and a maximum draft of 16 m.
- Channel depth
- 16 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 18 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 33 m
- Tidal range
- 0.7 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 400 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 61.5 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 16 m
- Offshore maximum vessel length
- 251 m
- Offshore maximum vessel draft
- 18.9 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Colombo is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Solid bulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Floating cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Medium
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated moderate.
- Repairs
- Moderate
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Sri Lanka
- US exports, 2025
- $368.8MLed by food industry residues and animal feed
- US imports, 2025
- $3.1BLed by knitted apparel
Other ports in Sri Lanka
The nearest is Trincomalee Harbor, 230 km away in a straight line.
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.