Vizhinjam Port emerges as a key hub: 170 ships, 3.40 lakh containers in just five months
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Two months after the Vizhinjam Port began commercial operations, it is rapidly emerging as a key destination for the world’s largest motherships. Over the next three months, several leading shipping companies will berth their container ships at Vizhinjam port.
Large ships from the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk are scheduled to arrive in March, April, and May. A total of 23 MSC vessels, with a capacity of over 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and exceeding 400 metres in length, have been chartered to dock at Vizhinjam during this period. The inclusion of Vizhinjam in MSC’s Jade service, which features the world’s largest container ship, MSC Irina, has further solidified its importance. At a conclave held last month, MSC representatives emphasised that the company views Vizhinjam as a crucial port.
Since the trial run, 170 ships have docked at Vizhinjam in the past five months. This includes some of the largest ships in the world, such as MSC KAYLA and MSC Claude Girardet. In total, 3.70 lakh TEUs of cargo have been handled at the port—surpassing the initial records of any newly established port worldwide. In January, Vizhinjam ranked second in cargo traffic among South Indian ports, with only Chennai handling more.
Several motherships with capacities exceeding 24,000 TEUs—typically restricted to the world’s largest ports—are set to arrive in the coming months. MSC Turkiye will reach Vizhinjam on April 1, followed by MSC Michel Cappellini on May 5, MSC Irina on May 24, and Mariella on May 26.
Other massive cargo vessels scheduled to arrive include Meta (24,000 TEU) on April 5, MSC Tessa on April 7, Gemma on April 19, and Celestino Maresa on April 26. According to the company’s website, Claude Girardet is expected on May 12, China on April 19, and Nicola Mastro on June 2. These vessels, each comparable in size to four football fields, highlight Vizhinjam’s growing appeal among global shipping giants.