DP World Cochin has achieved a major operational milestone with the arrival of MSC Ilaria, one of the largest container vessels ever to call at the port, reinforcing its position as a key gateway for global trade in South India.
The vessel call recorded over 8,000 TEUs handled, including import, export, and transshipment cargo — the highest volume ever managed in a single vessel operation at the terminal. This surpasses the previous benchmark of over 6,000 TEUs set during the call of MSC Aurora.
With a capacity of 16,616 TEUs, MSC Ilaria measures 366 metres in length, has a beam of 51 metres, deadweight tonnage of 171,079 tonnes, and a maximum draft of 17 metres, highlighting the growing scale of global container shipping and the increasing deployment of ultra-large vessels to Indian ports.
The successful handling of the vessel demonstrates DP World Cochin’s capability to accommodate next-generation Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), supported by significant infrastructure upgrades. These include the deployment of advanced Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (e-RTGs), and expanded yard capacity, taking the terminal’s overall capacity to approximately 1.4 million TEUs.
Further enhancements such as the upgrade of power infrastructure from 3 MVA to 5 MVA, full electrification of yard cranes, and the integration of an in-house solar power plant have improved operational efficiency while reducing the terminal’s carbon footprint.
Dipin Kayyath, CEO – Ports & Terminals, DP World Cochin, said the call marks a defining moment for the terminal. “Handling a vessel of this scale for the first time is a proud milestone and reaffirms our position as South India’s premier gateway. Our continued investments in infrastructure and technology are enabling faster turnaround times and supporting growing trade demand,” he noted.
Strategically located with minimal deviation from major international sea routes, the Cochin terminal offers strong connectivity to cargo hubs in Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu. It also serves as a vital coastal link connecting ports from Gujarat to Kolkata.
Adding to its logistics ecosystem, DP World has established Kerala’s first Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) within the Cochin Port — the only such facility in India co-located inside a major port — further strengthening trade facilitation and regional economic growth.
The record-breaking call of MSC Ilaria underscores Cochin’s rising prominence in global shipping networks and signals growing confidence among major shipping lines in India’s port infrastructure.