World's largest container ship MSC IRINA docks at Vizhinjam, India's first transshipment port

The world’s largest container ship by capacity, MSC IRINA, docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday morning, a major milestone for India's maritime sector.

Port officials said the vessel arrived at the port at 8 am and was given a traditional water salute on its arrival. The ship is expected to remain berthed until Tuesday.

This is the maiden visit of MSC IRINA, which boasts a capacity of 24,346 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), to South Asian shores.

It will soon make its first journey from the newly inaugurated Vizhinjam International Seaport, which is being positioned as a key transshipment hub for the region.

"Proud to welcome MSC Irina, the world's largest container ship... to our Vizhinjam port. This marks the vessel's maiden visit to the South Asian shores, making it a milestone not just for Vizhinjam but for India's emergence as a key player in global transshipment," Karan Adani , Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, said in a post on X.

Launched in March 2023 and commencing its maiden voyage in April the same year, MSC IRINA measures 399.9 metres in length and 61.3 metres in width, nearly four times the length of a standard FIFA football field.

It is engineered to stack containers up to 26 tiers high, enhancing its cargo-carrying capacity and efficiency on major trade routes, particularly between Asia and Europe.

A statement from the port said the vessel's docking underlines the transformative potential of Vizhinjam Seaport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2.

The ₹8,800 crore deepwater multipurpose seaport is India's first dedicated container transshipment hub and is strategically located near one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The port had recently received other Icon-class vessels, including MSC Türkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini.

The Vizhinjam Seaport is expected to drastically reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports for transhipment, which currently accounts for nearly 75% of such activity.

The move is expected to retain revenue within the country and create new economic opportunities for Kerala and its people, the release said.

As the port scales operations, it is set to become a key player in regional trade, potentially serving as a gateway for commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, it added.