Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 – In a major boost to India’s maritime ambitions, MSC IRINA, the world’s largest container ship by capacity, berthed at Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday morning, receiving a traditional water salute upon arrival at 8 am.
The 24,346 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel is on its maiden visit to South Asia, making its arrival a historic moment not only for Vizhinjam but for India’s growing stature in global transshipment trade.
“Proud to welcome MSC Irina… a milestone not just for Vizhinjam but for India’s emergence as a key player in global transshipment. A bold vision now in motion,” said Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, in a post on X.
With a length of 399.9 metres and width of 61.3 metres, the MSC IRINA is four times longer than a FIFA football field, a press release by the port stated. The ship is engineered to carry containers stacked up to 26 tiers high, and surpasses the previous record-holder, OOCL Spain, by 150 TEUs.
Launched in March 2023, the vessel embarked on its first voyage in April 2023, serving as a vital link in the Asia-Europe trade corridor. Built for scale and efficiency, the ship enhances global logistics by reducing turnaround times and maximizing cargo volumes on each journey.
Vizhinjam’s capability to handle Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) like MSC IRINA places it firmly on the map of strategic global shipping routes. In recent weeks, the port has also handled MSC Türkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini, both among the newer generation of mega ships.
The port was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, and is rapidly evolving into a central hub for India’s container traffic, particularly as a transshipment port serving major international routes.
In addition to its record-breaking size, MSC IRINA is equipped with state-of-the-art environmental features that reduce carbon emissions by up to 4%, aligning with global efforts toward greener maritime operations. These energy-saving systems reflect a broader shift toward sustainable shipping, as the industry grapples with its ecological footprint.
The docking of MSC IRINA is being seen as a defining moment in India’s port and shipping narrative. It signals the operational readiness of Vizhinjam to attract mega vessels that previously docked only at ports in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
The vessel is expected to remain berthed at Vizhinjam until Tuesday, during which logistical operations and port assessments are being conducted.
As India works to position itself as a preferred global transshipment hub, the arrival of MSC IRINA is more than a symbolic feat—it’s a testament to infrastructure readiness, international confidence, and a strategic leap in maritime capability.
