KOCHI, April 5: DP World Cochin has set a new operational benchmark by handling more than 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from a single vessel, marking the highest volume ever achieved at the terminal.
The record was set with the arrival of MSC Ilaria, a 366-metre-long ultra large container vessel (ULCV), surpassing the previous high of over 6,000 TEUs handled from MSC Aurora.
The milestone highlights the terminal’s growing capability to efficiently manage next-generation container ships and rising trade volumes. MSC Ilaria, one of the largest vessels to call at the port, has a carrying capacity of 16,616 TEUs, an overall length of 366 metres, a beam of 51 metres, deadweight tonnage of 171,079 tonnes, and a maximum draft of 17 metres.
Officials said the achievement reflects the increasing scale of global maritime trade and the corresponding need for advanced port infrastructure.
DP World Cochin has undertaken significant upgrades in recent years, including the deployment of new ship-to-shore cranes, electrified rubber-tyred gantry cranes (e-RTGs), and expansion of yard space, raising the terminal’s total capacity to approximately 1.4 million TEUs.
The terminal has also strengthened its power infrastructure from 3 MVA to 5 MVA to ensure uninterrupted operations during peak demand. Additionally, the complete electrification of yard cranes and the integration of an in-house solar power plant have helped reduce the carbon footprint of cargo handling operations.
Dipin Kayyath, Chief Executive Officer of Ports & Terminals at DP World Cochin, described the development as a significant milestone.
He said handling a vessel of this scale for the first time reinforces the terminal’s position as a premier gateway for South India and reflects its commitment to efficient global trade facilitation through enhanced infrastructure and faster turnaround times.
Strategically located with minimal deviation from major international shipping routes, the terminal offers logistical advantages for EXIM trade, particularly for cargo originating from Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu. It also ensures strong coastal connectivity across India, linking ports from Gujarat to Kolkata.
DP World has further strengthened its presence in the region by establishing Kerala’s first Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) within Cochin Port-the only such facility in India co-located within a major port-aimed at boosting trade efficiency and supporting regional economic growth.
(UNI)
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