MSC IRINA, the world’s largest container ship by Twenty‑foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) capacity, berthed at Vizhinjam port on Monday, marking its first call in South Asia. The 24,346‑TEU vessel will remain alongside until Tuesday.
Launched in March 2023 and sent on its maiden voyage in April 2023, MSC IRINA measures 399.9 metres in length and 61.3 metres in width, roughly four times the length of a FIFA‑designated football field. The ship can carry more than 24,346 standard 20‑foot containers and stack them up to 26 tiers high.
The vessel is designed to transport large volumes of containers between Asia and Europe. Energy‑saving features cut carbon emissions by up to 4 per cent, according to the operator.
Proud to welcome MSC Irina, the world’s largest container ship with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs, to our Vizhinjam Port. This marks the vessel’s maiden visit to South Asian shores, making it a milestone not just for Vizhinjam but for India’s emergence as a key player in global… pic.twitter.com/dmSGpwHQfK
— Karan Adani (@AdaniKaran) June 9, 2025
Vizhinjam, dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, is equipped to handle ultra‑large container vessels. Icon‑class ships MSC Türkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini docked at the port recently.
MSC IRINA surpasses the previous record holder, OOCL Spain, by 150 TEUs, reinforcing Vizhinjam’s status as a gateway for the world’s biggest container ships.
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