World's largest container ship MSC IRINA docks at Vizhinjam port, boosting India's maritime presence

In a major boost to India’s global shipping footprint, the world’s largest container ship, MSC IRINA, docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The vessel, measuring nearly 400 metres in length, began berthing operations on Monday, marking a landmark moment for the newly inaugurated deepwater port.

MSC IRINA holds the record for the highest container capacity globally, with an impressive load potential of 24,346 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). This arrival reinforces Vizhinjam’s capability to handle Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), bolstering India’s ambition to become a central hub in international maritime logistics.

Launched in March 2023 and flying under the Liberian flag, MSC IRINA is engineered to stack containers up to 26 tiers high and includes advanced features aimed at reducing carbon emissions by up to 4%. Its docking also positions Vizhinjam as a preferred stop for vessels navigating between Asia and Europe.

The port has recently seen similar high-profile traffic, including MSC Turkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini. With Vizhinjam now on the radar of global shipping giants, India is poised to play a much larger role in sustainable, high-volume marine trade in the years ahead.