World's largest container ship MSC Irina docks at Vizhinjam seaport in Kerala
The world's largest container ship MSC IRINA made a historic debut at Vizhinjam international seaport on Monday (June 9, 2025). The vessel, which was on its maiden visit to a South Asian port, docked at the port in the morning, highlighting Vizhinjam's capabilities in handling ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs). The MSC IRINA, billed as the world's largest container ship by TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) capacity, will be berthed at the port till Tuesday, according to port authorities.
This monumental arrival of the ship also marked 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.
The port has recently welcomed other Icon-class vessels, including MSC Türkiye 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. The ship that sails under the Liberian flag, 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%, significantly lowering its carbon footprint while maintaining operational efficiency. The Vizhinjam port has so far facilitated the berthing of 349 ships handling 7.33 lakh containers since the port began operations on a trial basis in July, 2024 and subsequently commercial operation in December.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Promise kept': Donald Trump signs executive order ending US sanctions on Syria; Assad still blacklisted
President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order officially ending US sanctions on Syria, fulfilling a prior commitment to end the sanctions program. The executive order follows President Trump's announcement in May, during his visit to the Middle East, that the US would lift all sanctions on Syria. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the trip, Trump held talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who had earlier formed a transitional government in March after the fall of the Assad regime, which was toppled by opposition forces. The White House clarified that sanctions would still apply to former president Bashar al-Assad. "The order will remove sanctions on Syria while maintaining sanctions on the former president, Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS and their affiliates, and Iranian proxies," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier in the day during daily briefing. The Al-Sharaa government had been urging the Trump administration for months to ease sanctions, with preliminary efforts already underway even before the president's announcement in May. However, certain sanctions, particularly those imposed when Syria was labeled a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, would still require formal repeal by Congress. In May, the US took a major step toward ending decades of sanctions on Syria by granting broad exemptions, the first move toward fulfilling President Trump's promise to lift the long-standing penalties on the war-torn nation. 'This is another promise made and promise kept,' Leavitt said Monday. The treasury department followed up last month by easing restrictions on Syrian banks, airlines, and President Al-Sharaa, and issuing guidance for approved transactions, including those related to infrastructure development. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent stated that the changes were intended to promote investment and economic recovery in Syria. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The European Union has also lifted nearly all remaining sanctions on Syria. Turkey and Saudi Arabia, both key US allies in the region, have expressed support for restoring ties with Syria's new government. Both nations have provided aid, with Saudi Arabia even offering to help settle some of Syria's debts, actions that may potentially conflict with existing sanctions. The Saudis view this as a chance to shift Syria's allegiance toward their side, following years of the country's alignment with Iran under the Assad regime. In 2003, then-President George W Bush signed the Syria accountability act, targeting Syria for its support of US-designated terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, its military occupation of Lebanon, suspected development of weapons of mass destruction, involvement in oil smuggling, and support for armed groups in Iraq following the US-led invasion that same year.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
"India has significant role to play this time": BRICS chairman hails PM Modi's initiatives
New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): Harvansh Chawla, Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted India's importance in the BRICS grouping, stating, 'due to the aura and initiatives of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has a significant role to play in BRICS this time.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Brazil from July 5 to 8 to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to 7. Speaking to ANI, he said, 'Due to the aura and initiatives of our PM, India has a significant role to play in BRICS this time.' Chawla emphasised that India will be the host country of the BRICS summit in 2026 and will chair the grouping for the following year. He said, 'India is going to be the host country of the BRICS summit in 2026, and India will be the Chairman of BRICS for the next one year.' Chawla noted that India's chairmanship comes at a crucial time, given its neutral stand and substantive role in global trade. He added, 'Keeping in mind the neutral stand and the substantive role that India has in trade today, we are there as the Chairman of BRICS at the right time, in the right atmosphere of the trade world as of now.' Highlighting the significance of the summit, he noted that, 'this is going to be one of the most historic summits of BRICS so far, and not only because PM Modi is going to be there. But keeping in mind the tariff war that the United States has started all over the world, this summit becomes very significant as far as BRICS countries are concerned.' 'So whatever the summit outcome will be, it will be very historic and very significant this time,' he added. PM Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from July 2, during which he will attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil and hold meetings with leaders of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia to strengthen bilateral ties. (ANI)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Modi's Namibia trip to focus on critical minerals, uranium
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the southwestern African state of Namibia during his five-nation tour beginning Wednesday will help boost bilateral cooperation on diamond trade, harnessing critical minerals and uranium. Several Indian diamond processing companies are present in Namibia and the PM's visit on July 9 could further boost bilateral cooperation in this sector, according to people familiar with the matter. Namibia boasts of the world's richest marine diamond deposits, with estimates exceeding 80 million carats. Namibia's marine diamond deposits are the most significant globally, with estimated reserves far exceeding those found on land. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Indian companies have invested in Namibia in mining, manufacturing, diamond processing and services sectors, with their total investment estimated to be more than $800 million. Namibia does not sell rough diamonds directly to India. Namibian rough diamonds arrive in India via London, Antwerp and other places. Live Events Namibia also offers an opportunity for harnessing critical minerals, benefiting India's electric vehicle manufacturers, sources said. It has the potential to develop new mining projects for cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements. India is also seeking to secure uranium supplies from Namibia, which is a significant producer.
