MSC Irina, the world’s largest container ship, docks at Vizhinjam Port in a historic first

MSC Irina, the world’s largest container ship by TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) capacity, docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday morning and will remain berthed until Tuesday.

With a staggering capacity of 24,346 TEUs, the MSC Irina stands as a giant in global shipping. Measuring 399.9 metres in length and 61.3 metres in width, the vessel is nearly four times the length of a FIFA-standard football field.

Engineered to transport massive volumes of containers between Asia and Europe, MSC Irina plays a key role in streamlining trade routes and boosting logistics efficiency.

Notably, this is the vessel’s maiden visit to a South Asian port. According to Adani Group, which operates the Vizhinjam port, the vessel’s arrival highlights Vizhinjam’s capabilities in handling Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). The seaport was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

The port has recently welcomed other mega-ships, including MSC Türkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini.

MORE | How Vizhinjam International Seaport is turning out to be a gamechanger for Adani Ports | EXPLAINER

Launched in March 2023, the MSC Irina began its maiden voyage the following month. Designed for maximum efficiency, it can stack containers up to 26 tiers high, setting a new benchmark for container capacity.

Surpassing its predecessor, OOCL Spain, by 150 TEUs, the MSC Irina also incorporates advanced energy-saving technologies. These features enable the ship to reduce carbon emissions by up to 4 per cent, striking a balance between high-volume transport and environmental sustainability.

Vizhinjam has a natural depth of 18–24 metres, which requires minimal dredging. This allows it to accommodate ultra-large vessels.

Located just 10 nautical miles from major international shipping routes, Vizhinjam minimizes deviation for large vessels. The port is also designed as India’s first automated, all-weather port with state-of-the-art facilities, including high-capacity cranes and modern automation systems.

These ensure quick turnaround times and efficient handling of large vessels.

Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, tweeted that the docking of MSC Irina at Vizhinjam is a milestone not just for the port but also for India’s emergence as a key player in global transhipment.

According to Adani Ltd, the docking of the MSC IRINA not only “underscores the port’s strategic importance in global shipping but also represents a leap forward in sustainable maritime practices”. 

Maritime