The ultra-large container vessel MSC Loreto has made its maiden call at Hutchison Ports Sohar, becoming the largest containership by capacity ever to berth at the Omani port. The milestone further strengthens Sohar’s position as a key maritime and logistics gateway in the Middle East.
Operating under the Liberia flag and deployed by MSC on its Shikra Service, MSC Loreto has a capacity of 24,346 TEUs and an overall length of nearly 400 metres, placing it among the world’s largest container vessels.
The Shikra Service links Sohar with major ports across China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, enhancing Oman’s connectivity to key manufacturing, trade, and consumption markets across Asia and the Middle East.
Commenting on the milestone, Anacin Kum, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports Sohar, said the vessel’s arrival represents another significant step in the terminal’s growth, highlighting its evolution from handling vessels of less than 10,000 TEUs to accommodating ultra-large containerships exceeding 24,000 TEUs.
The record-breaking call also reflects Sohar Port’s growing role as a regional transshipment hub. Increasing cargo volumes and vessel calls have been driven by evolving global trade patterns, geopolitical developments, and the diversion of shipping routes, further reinforcing the port’s strategic importance.
To support the latest generation of ultra-large container vessels, Hutchison Ports Sohar has continued investing in deep-water infrastructure, high-capacity quay cranes, and modern cargo handling equipment. The terminal has also implemented Veronica, Hutchison Ports’ proprietary terminal operating system, enhancing vessel planning, yard management, cargo movement, and turnaround efficiency.
The successful maiden call of MSC Loreto underscores Sohar’s expanding role in regional and global container shipping networks, demonstrating its capability to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels as shipping lines continue to optimize their Middle East services.
