The Port of Zeebrugge has announced the arrival of the MSC Mina, now docked at the CSP Zeebrugge container terminal.
The vessel measures 400 metres in length, 61 metres in width, and boasts a draft of 16.40 metres below sea level.
This sets a new record for the port, surpassing the previous record of 16.30 metres, established in July 2024 by the Ever Greet. The MSC Mina is the first call within MSC’s new LION service, a direct connection from the Far East to Zeebrugge and subsequently Antwerp.
The vessel arrived from Colombo (Sri Lanka), bringing its 23,656 TEU capacityto the Port of Zeebrugge. MSC alone is planning weekly calls in Zeebrugge with vessels drawing more than 16 metres of water.
Marc Beerlandt, CEO of MSC Belgium, said: “Improving the draught record in Zeebrugge with the MSC Mina confirms that we can also accommodate our largest vessels here. This allows MSC to call at Zeebrugge on a weekly basis, strengthening our position in the global market.
“We are proud of this achievement and thank the pilotage service, Maritime Services and Coast (MDK), and Port of Antwerp-Bruges for making this possible in close collaboration with CSP.”
Rob Smeets, COO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “Recording this new depth milestone makes me incredibly proud. It’s the result of close cooperation between all partners in the nautical chain – from pilots to shipping companies and terminal operators.
“I want to sincerely thank all of them for their dedication. Together, we’re showing what Zeebrugge is capable of.”
Earlier this month, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation.