Latest news with #Vizhinjam
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
World's largest container ship MSC IRINA arrives at Vizhinjam International Seaport
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 9 (ANI): The world's largest container ship, MSC IRINA, on Monday arrived at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The berthing process for the vessel has begun at the port. MSC IRINA is recognised as the world's largest container vessel by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity. Vizhinjam International Seaport, which is managed by the Adani Group, was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. The arrival of MSC IRINA marks a significant milestone for the newly opened port. 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. Explicitly designed 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 visiting a South Asian port, highlighting Vizhinjam's capabilities in handling Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). The port 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 reducing 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 highlights 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. (ANI)
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Early skill identification crucial, says Kerala Fin Minister K N Balagopal
KOLLAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal emphasised the importance of anganwadis in identifying skills of children at an early age to build a strong foundation for their health and education. He made these remarks at the inauguration of a newly opened anganwadi in Ezhukone. Balagopal also highlighted upcoming developments in the region, stating that new industrial enterprises will emerge in the Kollam-Punalur area as part of the Vizhinjam project. He added that the SOHO IT park in Kottarakkara is nearing completion and several infrastructure projects are underway to boost growth in Ezhukone. The new anganwadi, number 80 in Ezhukone HS ward, was constructed with Rs 18 lakh from the local development fund. Additionally, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for the purchase of smartphones for anganwadis across the state. A sum of Rs 3 crore from the Asset Development Fund has been earmarked for constructing market, shopping, and office complexes in Ezhukone. Road renovation work is also in progress in Ezhukone, known as the cricket capital of Kollam district. The event was attended by Kottarakkara Block Panchayat President A Abhilash, District Panchayat Member Sumalal, Ezhukone Grama Panchayat President Biju Abraham and anganwadi workers.
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
India's Kerala state on high alert as vessel with hazardous cargo sinks off its coast
NEW DELHI — India's southern state of Kerala on Monday issued a high alert along its coastal areas and asked fishermen not to venture near the site of an accident where a container ship carrying hazardous cargo sank off its coast in the Arabian Sea. The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3 was sailing between the Indian ports of Vizhinjam and Kochi when it sank about 38 nautical miles off Kerala early Sunday. All 24 crew members were rescued, India's defense ministry said.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
21 crew rescued after Liberian container ship tilts off Kochi coast
Kochi: Twenty-one crew members were rescued after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developed a severe 26-degree tilt on Saturday, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest (Nm SW) of Kochi. As of 8.00 pm, 21 crew members had been rescued, and three crew members (Captain, Chief Engg, and 2nd Engg) remained onboard to facilitate planned salvage operations. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships and aircraft continue to coordinate and monitor the situation. Some containers have fallen overboard due to the vessel's tilt. According to officials, "Risk assessment is in progress. All efforts are being made to maintain the vessel's stability." The 184-metre-long ship had departed Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was en route to Kochi when the incident occurred on Saturday, May 24. Around 1.25 pm, the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance. The ICG swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support. To support the evacuation process, ICG aircraft have dropped additional liferafts near the distressed container ship. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with the Coast Guard, has directed the vessel's managers to arrange for urgent salvage services to stabilise the situation.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Satheesan ridicules LDF campaign for third term in power
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan has ridiculed the Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s reported campaign targeting another term for Pinarayi Vijayan as Chief Minister. He was addressing a protest march on Tuesday (May 6) organised by the Kozhikode District Congress Committee (DCC) to the District Collectorate demanding the resignation of the LDF government, alleging that it is 'neck deep in corruption,'. Mr. Satheesan said that the LDF's current campaign reminded him of another propaganda by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in the 1977 Assembly polls. 'There were loud slogans saying E.M.S. Namboodiripad won in 1957 and 1967, and he would again win in 1977. However, when the results came out, the then United Front led by the Congress got 111 out of the 140 seats, which was a record of sorts. So, we don't need to get carried away by this new slogan saying the Pinarayi Vijayan government had won in 2016 and 2021 and it would return to power in 2026 as well,' he said. The Leader of Opposition also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Vijayan were 'sailing in the same boat'. 'If you criticise Mr. Modi, you will be labelled an anti-national. Here, if we criticise Mr. Vijayan, we will be called anti-development. But, soon we may be called anti-national because one is copying the textbook of the other,' Mr. Satheesan said. A Minister in the State Cabinet had no qualms in claiming that Gautam Adani was the government's partner in the Vizhinjam project, he added. Shafi Parambil, MP, who also spoke, said that when the results of the 2026 Assembly elections would be out, Congress would surely have MLAs from the district. K. Praveenkumar, DCC president, among others, was present.
