MSC IRINA, the world’s largest container vessel, berths at Vizhinjam International Seaport with ceremonial water salute, marking a maritime breakthrough in South Asia.
On June 9, 2025, the MSC IRINA, recognized as the world’s largest container ship by capacity, made a grand entrance at Kerala’s newly inaugurated Vizhinjam International Seaport. The colossal vessel received a traditional water cannon salute as it berthed, underscoring the port’s operational readiness and strategic significance.
Vizhinjam is India’s first deep-water port, launched officially on May 2, 2025, with natural depths of up to 24 meters—ideal for Ultra-Large Container Ships (ULCS) like MSC IRINA. The arrival:
-
Validates port infrastructure, signaling its ability to host ULCS that previously called only at global mega-ports.
-
Strengthens India’s maritime footprint, supporting direct transshipment and reducing reliance on Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
-
Enhances global shipping efficiency, offering MSC’s Jade service and others a deep-sea gateway closer to the international east-west shipping lane.
-
Boosts regional economy by cutting transit times, empowering Kerala’s development, and potentially elevating Vizhinjam to handle more than half of India's container transshipment needs.
Port Development & Trade Impact
Since commencing operations in July 2024, the port has managed over 170 ship calls and 370,000 TEUs in just five months—already rivaling established ports like Chennai. Featuring automated cranes, a 3.18 km breakwater, and state-of-the-art handling systems, Vizhinjam is positioned to expand to 6 million TEUs capacity in future phases.
MSC’s inclusion of Vizhinjam on its Jade route—originating from South Africa, through Europe, China, Singapore, and atop Asia—connects this port directly to international supply chains.
Expert & Industry Reactions
Port and shipping experts view this development as a tactical move to challenge Colombo’s dominance in South Asian transshipment. Analysts note that hosting ULCS without dredging affirms Vizhinjam’s strategic depth and favorable location just 10 nautical miles from the Suez–Far‑East route.
-
Expansion into phases II & III—increasing berth capacity and cargo handling.
-
Connectivity projects such as a rail tunnel (due by 2028) and a six-lane outer ring road to support multimodal logistics.
-
Enhanced transshipment and direct trade, accelerating India’s maritime self-reliance.
-
Potential to divert billions in cargo value from neighboring ports like Colombo, ensuring long-term investment appeal.
The MSC IRINA’s docking at Vizhinjam International Seaport isn’t just another port call—it’s a transformative milestone. It reinforces India’s growing maritime ambition, showcasing Vizhinjam as a deep-water logistics powerhouse capable of reshaping global trade routes.
