The Port of Durban in South Africa has made history with the arrival of the MSC Rifaya, the largest container ship ever to dock at a South African port.
The ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) made an unscheduled stop at Durban on Monday, June 9, to undergo emergency repairs after sailing from Ashdod, Israel.
Measuring nearly 400 meters in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, the MSC Rifaya ranks among the world’s largest container vessels.
Its reported capacity ranges from 19,437 to 19,466 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), surpassing all previous container ships to enter South African waters.
Docking the massive vessel was a complex maneuver involving four harbour tugs.
Port officials confirmed that the Rifaya will remain berthed at Durban until at least Thursday, June 13, before resuming its voyage to Singapore.
Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager at the Port of Durban, said the successful docking, despite the unexpected nature of the stop, reflects the port’s world-class infrastructure and its capacity to handle emergency berthings.
He described the event as proof that South Africa has the maritime expertise to operate at a global standard.
Ben-Mazwi also praised the teamwork among marine pilots, tug masters, and engineers, who coordinated the operation with precision.
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Key figures involved included MSC South Africa’s Operations Director Captain Ian Rosario and Transnet National Ports Authority’s Harbour Master Captain Brynn Adamson.
The vessel was piloted into port by Captain Ian Waddell, assisted by senior marine pilots Captain Mathilda Lekala and Captain Thokozani Mthethwa.
The arrival of the MSC Rifaya is being hailed as a significant milestone for South Africa’s maritime sector.
Port authorities and shipping stakeholders say the successful handling of the vessel strengthens the Port of Durban’s position in competing with major global ports such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai.
It also enhances the port’s reputation as a crucial gateway for regional and international trade.
This achievement comes as Transnet and South Africa’s shipping industry face increasing pressure to improve logistics efficiency.
The ability to berth and service vessels of this size on short notice is seen as a positive sign that the country is equipped to meet the growing demands of global commerce.
The MSC Rifaya’s historic stopover not only highlights the scale of South Africa’s port capabilities but also reaffirms the Port of Durban’s strategic role in the global shipping network.
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