Pakistan’s Hutchison Ports terminal in Karachi has received the largest container ship in the nation’s history — the MSC Micol, a 400-meter-long vessel operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) with a capacity exceeding 24,000 containers.
As per reports, Hutchison Ports Pakistan, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports group and the country’s only deep-water terminal, said the berthing demonstrates Pakistan’s readiness to handle next-generation vessels that dominate global trade routes.
In an official statement, the company said: “MSC Micol, measuring 400 meters in length with a capacity of 24,070 TEUs, is the largest vessel ever to call at a Pakistani port, marking a historic milestone for the maritime industry.”
The terminal operator said the arrival of the vessel reflects growing global confidence in Pakistan’s maritime potential and highlights the facility’s capability to accommodate ultra-large ships. It added that the development will reduce freight costs, improve trade efficiency, and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan’s exports.
Until recently, Pakistan’s major ports — Karachi Port and Port Qasim — handled smaller vessels due to draft limitations. Hutchison Ports Pakistan, operational since 2018, provided the country with its first terminal capable of berthing ships up to 400 meters long.
Located in Karachi’s Keamari district, the terminal is part of Hutchison Ports’ global network spanning 53 ports in 24 countries. The facility is expected to play a critical role in supporting Pakistan’s export growth and improving trade connectivity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Industry analysts said that receiving ultra-large container ships could help lower per-container handling costs and attract major shipping lines to include Pakistan in their main Asia–Europe routes, reducing reliance on transshipment through Gulf ports.
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