In a historic moment for Sri Lanka’s maritime industry, the ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) MSC MARIELLA, one of the largest container vessels in the world and the largest in the MSC fleet, made its maiden call at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the Port of Colombo (POC).
To commemorate the vessel’s maiden call, a plaque exchange ceremony took place between the Master of the vessel, Captain Sanjeev Bhatti, and the Chairman of SLPA, Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe. SLPA’s senior officials, including Managing Director Eng. Ganaka Hemachandra, Director of Operations Mrs. G. Zavia Miskin, and Director of Marketing & BD Mr. H.J.K.U. Kumara, were present at the occasion, alongside representatives from MSC Lanka (Pvt) Limited, the local agents for the vessel.
The arrival of MSC MARIELLA, built in 2023, underscores the growing importance of the Port of Colombo as a major transshipment hub. Measuring 399.90 meters in length, 61.30 meters in width, and with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 240,739.0, the vessel boasts a capacity of 24,346 TEUs. This vessel’s call highlights the Port of Colombo’s ability to accommodate the world’s largest and most advanced container ships, reinforcing its competitive position in the global maritime network.
The CECT, operated by SLPA, is equipped with cutting-edge Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes capable of handling ultra-large container vessels such as the MSC MARIELLA, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing its port infrastructure and technological capabilities.
The MSC MARIELLA’s visit not only elevates Colombo’s status on the global shipping map but also opens up new opportunities for trade and connectivity across South Asia, strengthening the region’s role in global maritime trade.