On Monday, the MSC IRINA-the world's largest container ship by TEU capacity-docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking a historic first for South Asia . Spanning nearly 400 m in length and 61 m in width (about four football fields), the Liberian‑flagged vessel can carry an astounding 24,346 TEUs, stacking containers up to 26 tiers high .

Operated by Adani Ports & SEZ, Vizhinjam Seaport opened just over a month ago-on May 2-built to handle ultra‑large container vessels like MSC IRINA . Strategically positioned only 10 nautical miles off key east–west shipping lanes, the port is India's first automated deep‑water transshipment terminal and poised to rival major hubs like Singapore, Colombo, and Dubai.

MSC IRINA’s arrival underscores India's maritime infrastructure leap, showcasing capacity, efficiency, and a greener footprint - its energy‑efficient systems reduce emissions by approximately 4% . Set to remain berthed through Tuesday, the vessel joins other mega‑ships like MSC Turkiye and MSC Michel Cappellini, signaling a new era for India’s global shipping ambitions .

With this milestone, Vizhinjam cements itself as a future global transshipment powerhouse, aligning with India's goal of capturing a larger share of international container traffic.