Kerala welcomes world’s largest container ship

Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called the arrival of MSC IRINA at Vizhinjam International Seaport a historic moment. He said this event marks a big step forward for Kerala and shows the port’s global importance. The ship is the largest container vessel to ever dock at a South Asian port.

The MSC IRINA, measuring nearly 400 meters long and 61.3 meters wide, has a carrying capacity of 24,346 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). This is about four times the length of a football field. Vijayan said on social media that the ship’s arrival supports Kerala’s “collective dream of growth.”

Vizhinjam port is being developed and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. The port has already seen visits from other big ships like MSC Turkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini. These visits show that Vizhinjam is becoming a major center for global shipping.

The MSC IRINA was launched in March 2023 and began sailing in April of that year. It flies under the Liberian flag and can stack containers up to 26 levels high. It also beats the previous record-holder, OOCL Spain, by 150 TEUs.

According to Adani Group, this docking is more than just a big moment. It shows Vizhinjam’s growing place in world trade and supports greener shipping. The event sets a strong example for future ports and helps Kerala shine on the global map.

The Chief Minister expressed pride in this achievement and said it signals a new era in maritime progress.