Historic Milestone: MSC Turkiye, One of the World’s Largest Cargo Ships, Arrives at Vizhinjam

On April 9, 2025, Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marked a significant milestone by welcoming the MSC Turkiye, one of the world’s largest and most environmentally advanced container ships. This event signifies Vizhinjam’s growing prominence in global maritime trade.​

Operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and sailing under the Liberian flag, the MSC Turkiye arrived from Singapore. Measuring nearly 400 meters in length, over 61 meters in width, and 33.5 meters in depth, the vessel boasts a capacity of 24,346 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), making it the largest container ship to dock at an Indian port, surpassing the previous record held by MSC Claude Girardet with 24,116 TEUs in September 2024. 

Developed and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), Vizhinjam is India’s first deepwater transshipment terminal. Its strategic location, just 10 nautical miles from the main east–west international shipping route, and a natural draft of 20 meters enable it to handle Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) without significant dredging. 

Currently, Phase 1 of the port handles 1 million TEUs, with expansion plans aiming for 5.5 million TEUs by 2028. The Adani Group holds a 40-year concession with the Kerala government to operate the port. Once fully commissioned, Vizhinjam is expected to process nearly half of India’s container transshipment cargo, reducing reliance on overseas ports such as Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai. 

​In February, the Adani Group reaffirmed its commitment to Kerala by announcing an investment of ₹30,000 crore over five years, encompassing the Vizhinjam project, Thiruvananthapuram Airport expansion, and the development of a logistics hub, among other initiatives.

The arrival of MSC Turkiye underscores Vizhinjam’s strategic significance in global maritime trade and its commitment to sustainable shipping practices.​

Image Credit- MSC Zoe