Adani's Vizhinjam Port welcomes arrival of largest-ever container ship in Indian waters

IANS April 9, 2025 291 views

Adani's Vizhinjam International Seaport achieved a significant milestone by welcoming MSC Turkiye, the largest container ship to ever dock in Indian waters. The vessel, measuring 399.9 metres long and carrying 24,346 TEUs, represents a breakthrough in maritime logistics and sustainable shipping. This event underscores Vizhinjam's strategic importance as a future transshipment hub for India's international trade. The port is poised to handle nearly half of India's container transshipment needs, marking a transformative moment for the country's maritime infrastructure.

"The arrival of MSC Turkiye affirms our commitment to transforming Vizhinjam into a globally competitive maritime hub" - Adani Ports Executive
Adani's Vizhinjam Port welcomes arrival of largest-ever container ship in Indian waters
Thiruvananthapuram, April 9: In a landmark event for India’s maritime industry, Vizhinjam International Seaport, developed and operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, on Wednesday received MSC Turkiye, one of the world’s largest and most sustainable container vessels.

Key Points

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Largest 24,346 TEU container ship ever docks in Indian waters

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Vizhinjam Port positioned as strategic global transshipment hub

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Represents cutting-edge maritime engineering and sustainability

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Reduces India's reliance on international transshipment ports

This is the ship’s first call at any Indian port. Spanning 399.9 metres in length, 61.3 metres in width, and 33.5 metres in depth, MSC Turkiye boasts a massive capacity of 24,346 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), making it the largest container ship to berth at an Indian port to date.

Operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and registered under the Liberian flag, the vessel represents cutting-edge innovation in fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible marine engineering.

This milestone reinforces Vizhinjam’s growing status as a premier global transshipment hub, strategically situated just 10 nautical miles (19 km) from the key east-west international shipping route.

The port’s natural draft of 20 metres allows it to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) without extensive dredging.

The historic docking follows a record-setting call by MSC Claude Girardet in September 2024, which held the previous benchmark with its 24,116 TEU capacity. MSC Turkiye now eclipses that record.

Vizhinjam is India’s first Mega Transshipment Container Terminal, equipped with advanced automation, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and rapid vessel turnaround capabilities.

Phase 1 currently supports 1 million TEUs, with expansion plans targeting 5.5 million TEUs by 2028.

APSEZ holds a 40-year concession with the Kerala government to develop and operate the port. Once fully operational, Vizhinjam is expected to handle nearly half of India’s container transshipment needs, reducing reliance on international ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.

The arrival of MSC Turkiye affirms APSEZ’s commitment to transforming Vizhinjam into a globally competitive maritime hub, enhancing India’s logistics capabilities and trade influence on the world stage.

In February, the Adani Group announced to invest Rs 30,000 crore in Kerala in the next five years, including in the Vizhinjam port, in increasing the capacity of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, and setting up a logistics hub, among other projects.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
This is huge for Indian maritime! 🇮🇳 Finally we have infrastructure that can compete with global ports. The size of that ship is mind-blowing - almost 400 meters long! Can't wait to see what this means for our trade capabilities.
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Priya M.
While this is impressive, I hope Adani Group is also focusing on environmental protections. Such massive ships and port expansions need to be balanced with coastal ecosystem conservation. The article mentions sustainability features - would love more details on that.
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Sanjay T.
Game changer for Kerala's economy! The ripple effects from this port will create so many jobs - not just in shipping but in logistics, hospitality, and other sectors. Smart move by the state government to partner with Adani on this.
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Ananya R.
The engineering behind these mega ships is incredible. 24,000+ containers in one trip! 🤯 And the port's natural depth is such a geographic advantage. Makes you proud to see India developing world-class infrastructure.
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Vikram J.
I'm cautiously optimistic. The port's potential is undeniable, but I hope the promised benefits actually reach local communities. Too often these mega projects create wealth that doesn't trickle down. Monitoring employment and business opportunities for Keralites closely.
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Meera P.
The strategic location is perfect - right on the major shipping route! This could really reduce our dependence on foreign ports and save millions in transshipment costs. Great step toward self-reliance in trade.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Adani Group Vizhinjam Port Maritime Infrastructure Container Shipping MSC Turkiye Kerala Ports Indian Maritime Industry
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