Sale of 20ft and 40ft Shipping Containers in Colombo (Sri Lanka)

About the Location: Colombo – The Commercial Capital and Main Maritime Gateway of South Asia

Colombo is the largest city and commercial heart of Sri Lanka, and the Port of Colombo holds a strategic position on the main East-West maritime route connecting Europe and Asia. This port is one of the busiest transshipment hubs in the region, handling a significant portion of transshipment cargo for India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh. The industrial profile of the capital and its suburbs is defined by the export of ready-made garments and textiles, the production of famous Ceylon tea, rubber and spice processing, and large-scale infrastructure projects like the Port City Colombo development.

Fun fact: The Port of Colombo is one of the few ports in the world capable of simultaneously servicing the world's largest Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) and ensuring their rapid transshipment to feeder vessels, thanks to advanced terminal automation. Buying a container in this location allows businesses to create reliable storage space at the epicenter of Asian logistics.

Important: We Strictly Do Not Deal with "As-Is" Condition Containers

In a tropical climate characterized by year-round high humidity, seasonal monsoon rains, and the aggressive salty air of the Indian Ocean, using worn-out equipment is unacceptable. Our fleet consists only of inspected, watertight, and reliable containers. You will never receive equipment with through-corrosion, deformed doors, or damaged flooring, which is critical for preserving the quality of sensitive cargo.

Always Available at Our Sites and Partner Terminals in Colombo:

• 20DC — Standard 20-foot containers (optimal for heavy equipment, auto components, and compact storage)

• 40DC — Standard 40-foot containers

• 20HC / 40HC — High Cube containers (ideal for textiles, electronics, and bulky cargo)

• Refrigerated Containers (Reefers) — for the food industry, spices, and pharmaceuticals (available upon request)

We process transactions in 1 business day. Containers are sold in the following conditions: NEW, IICL, CW (Cargo Worthy).

How to Buy a Container in Colombo?

1. Selection: Describe your task to the manager (local storage, transshipment, buffer zone). We will select the appropriate type and condition.

2. Contract: We sign a purchase agreement fixing the price, the container's BIC number, and the handover conditions.

3. Payment: We accept payment exclusively via non-cash transfer in US Dollars (USD) through international bank transfer (SWIFT).

4. Pickup: You collect the container from the agreed terminal in Colombo on FCA (pickup) terms, or coordinate its handover directly to your logistics partner.

Local Expertise: Colombo Terminals and Container Arrival Routes

Understanding the region's infrastructure allows us to guarantee transaction transparency and stable equipment availability:

1. Colombo Container Terminals

We work directly with operators of key logistics hubs, ensuring convenient conditions for inspection and pickup:

• Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT): A deep-water terminal capable of receiving the world's largest vessels. We have established interaction protocols for the swift removal of customs-cleared equipment.

• South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT): One of the most efficient terminals in the region, specializing in transshipment operations.

• Private Inland Depots in Biyagama and Kelani Valley Zones: Specialized sites in industrial zones where we conduct pre-sale inspections, allowing clients to pick up equipment without port queues and bureaucratic delays.

2. Equipment Arrival Routes

The container fleet in Colombo is formed through several logistics flows:

• Deep-sea vessels: Direct calls by large vessels from East Asian ports (Shanghai, Singapore) and Europe (Rotterdam).

• Regional feeder lines: Regular connections with ports in India (Chennai, Tuticorin), the Maldives, and Bangladesh to balance the fleet.

• Return of empties from international voyages: Empty containers that have completed their import cycle in Sri Lanka are returned to depot zones, where we conduct strict inspections and select units in IICL and CW conditions.

Who Benefits from Buying a Container in Colombo: Industry Scenarios

1. Textile and Garment Industry: Sri Lanka is a major exporter of ready-made garments. For storing yarn, fabrics, and finished products, which are highly sensitive to moisture, we provide IICL and NEW condition containers. They undergo strict watertightness testing, eliminating the risk of condensation and mold on the cargo.

2. Ceylon Tea and Spice Exporters: Tea and spices (cinnamon, cardamom) require ideal storage conditions. These goods require food-grade standard containers. We supply only clean containers (IICL and NEW conditions) with no traces of previous chemical cargo, mold, or foreign odors, which is a mandatory requirement for phytosanitary control.

3. Transshipment Logistics Operators and 3PL: Companies servicing cargo flows to India and the Maldives. Purchasing an own fleet of containers allows for the creation of flexible buffer zones within Biyagama warehouses, avoiding astronomical storage rates (demurrage) inside CICT or SAGT terminals.

4. Construction and Infrastructure Companies: Amid the large-scale construction of the Port City Colombo project and road network expansion, a container is a vandal-resistant, fire-safe, and mobile solution for storing expensive tools, generators, and materials without the need for complex capital construction permits.

5. Rubber Products and Latex Manufacturers: The region actively processes natural rubber. Storing finished products and raw materials requires dry, watertight containers (CW condition or higher) that protect materials from tropical moisture and direct sunlight.

Estimated Container Costs in Colombo

Prices are per unit, FCA (pickup) from a terminal in Colombo. The Sri Lankan market is characterized by stable demand for warehouse space, which drives competitive pricing for quality equipment.

Terms and Conditions

• A wholesale discount is provided when purchasing a batch of 3 or more units.

• Pickup is available from CICT, SAGT terminals, or partner private depots in the Biyagama/Kelani industrial zones.

• All containers are provided in CW, IICL, or NEW conditions ("As-Is" condition is not used).

• Independent inspection by a third-party surveyor (e.g., SGS Sri Lanka or Bureau Veritas) can be arranged at the buyer's expense.

• To receive an exact price list with current photos and BIC numbers of available containers, please submit a request — our manager will prepare a personalized proposal within 2 hours.

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.

*MyContainers is a partner of MyWay.