Vizhinjam, Kerala – June 2025:
In a monumental milestone for India’s maritime and trade sectors, the world’s largest container ship, MSC Irina, has docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala. This landmark event marks a major step forward for India as it positions itself as a key player in global shipping and logistics.
Operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), MSC Irina is a next-generation ultra-large container vessel with a capacity of over 24,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). Measuring over 399 meters in length and 61.3 meters in width, it is one of the largest container ships ever built — a floating marvel of modern engineering and a symbol of global trade efficiency.
Vizhinjam Port, developed as a deep-water, all-weather, greenfield seaport, is strategically located near the international shipping route, just 10 nautical miles from it. Its natural depth of over 20 meters allows it to host ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) like MSC Irina, a feat very few ports in the world can achieve.
This docking highlights the port’s advanced infrastructure and its potential to become India’s transshipment hub, competing with global ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
The arrival of MSC Irina is more than a symbolic achievement. It opens up massive opportunities for:
- Faster cargo handling and international shipping connectivity
- Cost savings in import-export logistics
- Job creation and economic activity in Kerala and beyond
- Reduced reliance on foreign transshipment hubs
Government officials, port authorities, and global shipping stakeholders have hailed the event as a turning point.
“This moment puts Vizhinjam — and India — on the global maritime map,” said a spokesperson from the Adani Group, which is developing the port. “It’s a strong validation of our long-term vision.”
With MSC Irina’s arrival, Vizhinjam Seaport has officially demonstrated its ability to handle the world’s biggest ships. As the port ramps up its operations, it is expected to play a critical role in transforming India into a global trade hub, improving export competitiveness, and bolstering regional development.
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