Adani’s Vizhinjam Port welcomes world’s largest, eco-friendly container ship

Thiruvananthapuram : Billed as one of the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient container ships, MSC Türkiye docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport, operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), in Kerala on Wednesday.

This marks the first time the giant vessel has docked at an Indian port, according to sources familiar with the development.

Hailed as a landmark in India’s maritime history, the arrival of MSC Türkiye is seen as a major boost to Vizhinjam port’s growing reputation as a global transshipment hub. It also highlights the port’s capability to attract ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) from around the world.

Operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), MSC Türkiye is a marvel of modern engineering. The vessel measures 399.9 metres in length, 61.3 metres in width, and 33.5 metres in depth. It can carry approximately 24,346 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), making it one of the largest container ships ever built.

In addition to its size, MSC Türkiye is distinguished by its eco-friendly design. It has been engineered with a focus on fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Sources noted that it has a low carbon footprint per container, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions per tonne of cargo transported. Flying the Liberian flag, the ship represents a leap forward in sustainable global shipping.

MSC Türkiye’s arrival aligns with APSEZ’s ambitious plan to transform Vizhinjam—established in 2015 and operational since last year—into a leading global marine hub.

Last September, another ULCV operated by MSC, the MSC Claude Girardet, docked at Vizhinjam. At that time, it was the largest container vessel to visit India, measuring 399.99 metres long, 61.5 metres wide, with a capacity of 24,116 TEUs—a record now surpassed by MSC Türkiye.

Vizhinjam is India’s first deep-sea transshipment container terminal. It is strategically located close to major international shipping routes and just 10 nautical miles (19 km) from the busy east-west shipping channel that connects Europe, the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia, and the Far East.

With a natural depth of 20 metres, the port requires minimal dredging and can accommodate the world’s largest vessels, including those carrying over 24,000 TEUs.

The port features large-scale automation and state-of-the-art infrastructure for quick vessel turnaround, capable of handling Megamax container ships. Phase 1 has a capacity of 1 million TEUs, with an additional 4.5 million TEUs planned for future phases.

The Adani Group holds a 40-year agreement with the Kerala government to develop and operate Vizhinjam port, with full project completion expected by 2028. Once fully operational, Vizhinjam will be able to handle 50 per cent of India’s container transshipment needs, significantly reducing dependency on foreign ports like Dubai, Colombo, and Singapore.