AHMEDABAD — The MSC IRINA, recognised as the world's largest container ship by
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity, is set to dock at the Adani Group's
Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday and will be berthed till Tuesday.
The monumental arrival marks a significant milestone for the
seaport, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
May 2.
The MSC IRINA boasts an impressive capacity of 24,346 TEUs,
making it a formidable player in global shipping.
With a length of 399.9 metres and a width of 61.3 metres,
the vessel is approximately four times longer than a standard FIFA-designated
football field.
Designed specifically to facilitate the transportation of
large volumes of containers between Asia and Europe, the MSC IRINA is pivotal
in enhancing trade routes and logistics efficiency.
This vessel will be making its maiden visit to a South Asian
port, highlighting Vizhinjam's capabilities in handling Ultra-Large Container
Vessels (ULCVs).
The port, developed and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd,
has recently welcomed other icon-class vessels, including MSC Turkiye and MSC
Michel Cappellini, further establishing its reputation as a key hub in maritime
trade.
The MSC IRINA was launched in March 2023 and embarked on its
maiden voyage in April of the same year. It sails under the Liberian flag and
is engineered to stack containers up to 26 tiers high, offering unparalleled
capacity in container stacking.
Notably, the MSC IRINA surpasses its predecessor, OOCL
Spain, by a margin of 150 TEUs.
In alignment with contemporary environmental standards, the
vessel is equipped with energy-saving features that contribute to a reduction
in carbon emissions by up to 4 per cent, significantly lowering its carbon
footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.
The docking of the MSC IRINA at Vizhinjam International
Seaport not only underscores the port's strategic importance in global shipping
but also represents a leap forward in sustainable maritime practices, setting a
benchmark for future developments in the industry.