Adani-operated Vizhinjam emerges as a global transshipment hub with arrival of Ultra-Large Container Vessel
Maritime News, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India : In a landmark moment for India’s maritime sector, the MSC Türkiye, one of the world’s largest and most environmentally advanced container ships, docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala—marking its first-ever port call in India.
Operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), the event cements Vizhinjam’s rising status as a global transshipment hub capable of hosting Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs).
A Modern Marvel Docks in India
Built and operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the MSC Türkiye is an engineering powerhouse:
- Length: 399.9 meters
- Width: 61.3 meters
- Depth: 33.5 meters
- Capacity: 24,346 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)
It surpasses the previous record-holder, MSC Claude Girardet, which also docked at Vizhinjam last September. The Türkiye’s arrival sets a new benchmark in India’s shipping history.
Eco-Friendly Engineering at Scale
What sets the MSC Türkiye apart is not just its massive scale but its green design philosophy. The vessel is built to be fuel-efficient, boasting a low carbon footprint per container—a significant step toward sustainable global shipping.
Flying the Liberian flag, the Türkiye signals a global shift in maritime transport toward environmental responsibility without compromising on capacity or performance.
Vizhinjam: India’s Gateway to the Global Maritime Map
Vizhinjam Port is fast emerging as India’s first deep-sea mega transshipment container terminal. Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the main East-West international shipping route, the port boasts:
- Natural depth of 20 meters (minimal dredging required)
- Fully automated operations
- Capacity to handle Megamax ships and 24,000+ TEU vessels
In Phase 1, the port will handle 1 million TEUs, expanding to 5.5 million TEUs in future phases. All phases are on track for completion by 2028.
Adani’s Vision: Reducing India’s Maritime Dependence
With a 40-year agreement in place between the Adani Group and the Kerala government, Vizhinjam aims to handle 50% of India’s container transshipment needs. This would drastically reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as Colombo, Dubai, and Singapore.
Charting a New Course for Indian Ports
The docking of MSC Türkiye at Vizhinjam not only showcases India’s readiness to integrate with the world’s biggest shipping networks but also affirms Adani Ports’ commitment to building world-class, future-ready maritime infrastructure.
As global maritime traffic grows, Vizhinjam is poised to become the heartbeat of India’s blue economy—green, efficient, and globally connected.
