Pakistan’s deep-water port has received the largest container ship in the country’s history. The MSC Mikol, a 400-meter-long vessel with a capacity of 24,070 TEUs, successfully berthed at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) in Karachi, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s maritime operations.
According to the official statement issued by the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) spokesperson, “The 400-meter-long MSC Mikol with a capacity of 24,070 TEUs has arrived in Karachi and successfully docked at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal.”
Hutchison Ports Pakistan provided global-standard facilities for the berthing of the mega vessel. The terminal confirmed that MSC Mikol belongs to the world’s most advanced and largest container ship class, reflecting the country’s readiness to handle next-generation maritime operations.
Largest Container Ship in Pakistan’s History
According to Business Recorder, the arrival of MSC Mikol comes after other milestones like MSC Anna that berthed in 2024 as the largest container ship to visit a Pakistani port. This new ship also indicates how Pakistan port infrastructure has developed and is capable of handling international shipping lines such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
The News International claims that the interest of major shipping companies around the world in the port industry of Pakistan has been growing especially with the recent upgrading of the deep-water port of Karachi.
South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) is the only deep water container terminal in Pakistan with the capability of accommodating mega container ships like MSC Mikol. The project enhances the presence of Pakistan in maritime logistics in the region, so cargo flows and port connectivity, in terms of international trade, are effective.
Hutchison Ports Pakistan (operated by SAPT Karachi) has the world-class cranes and handling system which has allowed the facility to handle 20,000 TEU vessels and above which is also a major determinant in shipping competitiveness in the global market.
MSC Mikol and the Maritime Pakistani connectivity.
This is evidenced by the recent introduction of a new route by MSC that links Asia, Pakistan, and the U.S. West Coast, making trade in the region and the world in general more accessible, as indicated by India Shipping News. This expansion is in line with the arrival of MSC Mikol at Karachi Port, which is an indication of increased involvement of Pakistan in major shipping routes of the world.
As the maritime infrastructure in Pakistan developed at a high pace, the docking of MSC Mikol is a successful event that highlights the willingness of the country to become the destination of more international shipping investments, as well as to become involved into massive cargo and logistics processes.
Pakistan also seeks international investment, among them that of the United States, to build a new Arabian Sea port in Pasni, Balochistan to supplement Karachi and Gwadar in order to increase the country to a network of deep-water ports, according to a recent report by Arab News.
This project along with the Karachi ability to manage MSC Mikol is an indicator of growing maritime and economic potential of Pakistan in South Asia.
