M.V. MSC Michaela, longest container vessel with highest container carrying capacity berthed at VOC Port

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has achieved a major milestone with the successful berthing of M.V. MSC Michaela. The vessel’s overall length is 304 metres with a beam of 40 metres.

This marks the arrival of the longest container vessel and the highest carrying capacity vessel with 6.724 TEUs of containers, ever to berth at the port, underscoring the growing prominence of India’s maritime sector.

The progression of the port from handling M.V. MSC Petra with an overall length 299.5 metres in May 2022 to successful arrival of M.V. MSC Michaela, significantly highlights the substantial enhancement of VOC Port’s operational capabilities.

MSC Michaela, which arrived from Panama is scheduled to sail to Colombo, is handling a total of 3,977 TEUs at the port. This includes 2,676 TEUs of import containers, 1,104 TEUs of export containers, 148 TEUs involving restow operations and 49 TEUs of transhipment containers.

In the commemorative event held at the port, Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, VOC Port stated that the successful handling of M.V. MSC Michaela reflects the port’s recent infrastructure upgrades such as enhancing the maximum draft to 14.20 metres, widening the turning circle of port’s basin from 488 metres to 550 metres, operationalisation of DPE facility and the recent induction of fourth tug with 60 tonne bollard pull to manoeuvre large container vessels.