In a significant step toward global engagement and talent development, Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), has facilitated the participation of 16 top performing Sri Lankan students from 6 leading universities in the C Blue Training Program in China.
This signature initiative, led by China Merchants Charitable Foundation (CMCF), is designed to nurture the next generation of maritime and logistics professionals. By bringing together students from across the world, the program creates a space where ideas, cultures, and aspirations converge, offering Sri Lankan youth a rare opportunity to grow on an international stage.
Launched in 2016, the C Blue Training Program has welcomed over 400 participants from 61 countries, making it one of the most globally diverse learning experiences in the maritime sector. This year, Sri Lanka steps into the spotlight as its brightest young minds join peers from around the world in a journey that blends academic excellence, cultural exchange, and industry insight. The program is designed to nurture the next generation of leaders by exposing them to smart port technologies, sustainable logistics models, advanced maritime systems, and international port operations. Through a mix of expert-led lectures, site visits to world-class port facilities, and interactive workshops, students will deepen their understanding of how innovation and global collaboration are transforming maritime trade.
CEO of CICT, Jan Zhang, says, “This initiative also reinforces the deepening educational and economic ties between Sri Lanka and China. As a member of the CMPort global network, operating more than 50 ports across the world, CICT continues to leverage international partnerships to create opportunities for Sri Lankans to engage with the global economy. At a time when the maritime industry is undergoing rapid transformation through digitalisation, automation, and sustainable practices, the C Blue Program offers timely and relevant training that aligns with the future of global trade.
By empowering the next generation, CICT and CMPort are helping to ensure that Sri Lanka is not just keeping pace with global change, but actively shaping it.”
The selection of these 16 students marks a defining moment for Sri Lanka—one that extends beyond education. As they represent the nation on a global platform, these students are also ambassadors of Sri Lanka’s growing potential in the international logistics arena. Their exposure to global best practices and cutting-edge maritime solutions is expected to not only enrich their individual capabilities but also contribute to national development when they return. CICT, which plays a strategic role in Sri Lanka’s maritime growth, sees this initiative as an investment in the country’s future workforce. It reflects the terminal’s broader vision of empowering local talent with global knowledge and strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a maritime hub in South Asia.
For the students embarking on this journey, the experience promises far more than professional development. It offers a chance to build lifelong international connections, engage in cross-cultural learning, and return with a renewed sense of purpose and global perspective. As they take their place among future leaders in the global port and logistics sector, they carry with them the aspirations of a nation ready to lead, innovate, and connect with the world.
Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT) is a joint venture Company between China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, a listed blue-chip company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). CICT was developed as part of the Colombo South Harbour expansion project under a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Source: Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd.