The story of the MSC Irina
Delivered in March 2023, the MSC Irina and its sisters pushed container ship capacity to a new ceiling: 24,346 TEU, the current world record class. Built in China at Yangzijiang, the class embodies where the megaship race has settled — hull dimensions have stopped growing (canals and ports impose hard limits around 400 metres), so shipyards now squeeze capacity from fuller hull forms and taller deck stacks instead. Whether anyone will ever order a materially larger ship has become one of the industry's favourite debates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MSC Irina the largest container ship in the world?
The MSC Irina belongs to the class holding the current capacity record — 24,346 TEU — shared with several sister vessels delivered since 2023.
Why do record ships no longer get longer?
Ports, canals and terminal cranes impose practical limits around 400 metres of length, so recent capacity gains come from wider, fuller hulls and higher container stacks.
Where does this emissions data come from?
All figures are official verified data reported under the EU MRV regulation and published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).