Another huge mothership to arrive at Vizhinjam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mothership of MSC, the world's largest shipping company, is likely to arrive at the Vizhinjam International Seaport soon. MSC Roma, headed for Colombo from the port of Le Havre in northern France, is expected to dock at Vizhinjam port, according to sources. Meanwhile, the port company has not confirmed this. The ship, which is travelling at a speed of 18.3 knots, is expected to reach Colomba on July 26. The container ship, built in 2006, is sailing under the flag of Liberia. Her length overall (LOA) is 336.61 meters and her width is 45.63 meters.

The world's largest motherships can dock at Vizhinjam, the country's deepest transshipment hub. Containers unloaded in Vizhinjam can be transported to other parts of the country on small feeder ships. Goods to other countries can also be unloaded here. With that, Vizhinjam will become a global transshipment hub. A port navigation centre running on software developed by IIT Madras will control ships at Vizhinjam. The automatic navigation centre is modelled after air traffic control. It will ensure safe anchorage and port operations.