SLPA welcomes the largest container vessel, MSC MARIELLA, at Colombo port

Marking a historic milestone 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 mark the vessel’s maiden call at the Port of Colombo, plaques were exchanged between the Master of the ship, Capt. Sanjeev Bhatti and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman – Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe. SLPA’s Managing Director – Eng.Ganaka Hemachandra, Director (Operations) – Mrs.G.Zavia Miskin, Director (Marketing & BD) – Mr.H.J.K.U.Kumara, Harbour Master – Capt. Nirmal P.Silva, Chief Operations Manager – CO – Mr.L.P.S.Chandana, Chief Manager (M & BD and Com & PR) – Mr. Chitral Jayawarna, representing MSC Lanka (Pvt) Limited – local agents for the vessel, its Managing Director – Mr. Umindha Dunuwille, General Manager- Operations – Mr. Sylesh Peerez and Snr GM – Transshipment – Mr. Dhammika Jeewan were present at the occasion.

This momentous call underscores the Port of Colombo’s rising prominence as a major transhipment hub in the region and its capability to handle the world’s largest and most advanced container vessels.

The MSC MARIELLA, built in 2023, measures 399.90 meters in length overall (LOA) and 61.30 meters in beam (width). Its deadweight tonnage (DWT) is 240,739.0, its maximum draft is 16.26 meters, and its container carrying capacity is 24,346 TEUs.

Built-in 2023, MSC MARIELLA represents the cutting edge of maritime engineering. Her arrival at the Port of Colombo (POC) highlights the terminal’s capability to service ultra-large container vessels efficiently and safely.

The Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT), operated by SLPA, is equipped with state-of-the-art Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes designed to handle vessels of this scale. This reaffirms SLPA’s commitment to technological advancement and port infrastructure development.

This significant port call enhances Colombo’s stature in the global shipping network and opens new opportunities for trade and connectivity in the South Asian region.