The MSC IRINA, currently holding the title of the largest container ship globally by capacity, docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport early on Monday morning, as confirmed by port authorities. The vessel is scheduled to remain docked until Tuesday. At 8 AM on Monday, the MSC IRINA was welcomed with a traditional water salute, marking its first-ever arrival at the port.
This visit is a milestone for the Vizhinjam Deepwater Port, which was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. With a capacity to carry 24,346 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the arrival of the MSC IRINA highlights the growing scale of global trade and India’s increasing significance in this domain.
Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Lt, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his pride, stating: “We are thrilled to welcome MSC IRINA, the world’s largest container ship, with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs, to Vizhinjam. This is a landmark moment, not just for the port but for India’s growing role in global transshipment. A bold vision in motion!”
The MSC IRINA, measuring 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in width, is almost four times the length of a standard FIFA football field. Designed to transport massive volumes of containers between Asia and Europe, the ship plays a crucial role in boosting trade efficiency and improving logistics across key maritime routes.
This marks the vessel’s first visit to a port in South Asia, underlining Vizhinjam Port’s capability to handle Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). The port has already received other mega-ships, such as the MSC Türkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini, further solidifying its position as an emerging hub in international maritime trade.
Launched in March 2023, the MSC IRINA set sail on its maiden voyage in April 2023. The ship is capable of stacking containers up to 26 tiers high, offering unmatched storage capacity. It also surpasses the previous record-holder, OOCL Spain, by an impressive 150 TEUs. In line with global environmental standards, the MSC IRINA is equipped with energy-efficient technologies, enabling a 4% reduction in carbon emissions, thus reducing its environmental impact while ensuring optimal operational efficiency.
The arrival of the MSC IRINA at Vizhinjam further strengthens the port’s role in the global shipping industry and highlights its commitment to sustainable maritime practices. This development sets a new benchmark for future infrastructure projects in the sector.
