The MSC Turkiye, one of the world's largest container ships, is scheduled to dock at Vizhinjam International Seaport at 5:30 PM today, marking its inaugural visit to South Asia. Owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the vessel measures 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in width, with a capacity to carry 24,346 containers. Notably, it is recognized for its fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions. ​The MSC Turkiye departed from Singapore on April 2 and is expected to unload approximately 3,000 containers at Vizhinjam before departing by Wednesday night or Thursday. This event is significant as it occurs prior to the port's official commissioning. The vessel is part of a series of six ships capable of carrying the highest container volumes, none of which have previously visited ports in Dubai or Colombo. ​Since initiating trial operations last July and commencing commercial operations in December, Vizhinjam port has handled 5 lakh containers across 246 ships, averaging 3,000 containers daily. In September, the port accommodated the MSC Claude Girardet, another ultra-large container vessel with a capacity of 24,116 containers. ​The arrival of ultra-large cargo ships like the MSC Turkiye, which spans over four football fields and typically carries around 24,000 containers, enhances Vizhinjam's global reputation. Built in Turkey in 2023 and sailing under Liberia's flag, the MSC Turkiye operates on 30 services across 230 international routes, transporting 20 lakh containers annually. The vessel has received prestigious awards, including the Golden Anchor and Atlas Logistics, and was named to commemorate Turkey's 100th Republic Day. ​The ease of docking ultra-large vessels at Vizhinjam is expected to bolster its standing as a key player in international maritime trade. Headquartered in Geneva, MSC operates across 155 countries with a fleet of 860 ships, handling over 22.5 million TEUs annually. ​