The ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) arrived at Durban port, South Africa on Monday, June 9, making an unscheduled stop for emergency repairs after sailing in from Ashdod, Israel.
The MSC Rifaya, a ship measuring nearly 400 meters in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, is classified among the world’s largest container vessels.
With a reported capacity of 19,437 to 19,466 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), it has surpassed all previous records set by container vessels entering South African waters.
The berthing of the massive vessel was a complex operation that involved four harbour tugs. Port officials confirmed that the Rifaya will remain at the port until at least Thursday, June 13, before continuing its journey to Singapore.
According to Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager at the Port of Durban, the successful docking, despite being unscheduled, demonstrates not only the port’s world-class infrastructure but also its flexibility and readiness to handle emergency berthings.
He described the event as evidence that South Africa possesses the maritime expertise required to operate at a global standard. Ben-Mazwi further praised the teamwork of marine pilots, tug masters, and engineers who coordinated the berthing process with precision.
Key personnel involved in the operation 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 the port by Captain Ian Waddell, assisted by senior marine pilots Captain Mathilda Lekala and Captain Thokozani Mthethwa.
Shipping milestone for SA’s Durban port
The arrival of the MSC Rifaya is being celebrated as a milestone for the country’s maritime sector.
Port authorities and shipping stakeholders say the successful handling of the vessel places the Port of Durban in a stronger position to compete with major global ports such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai. It also boosts the port’s reputation as a key gateway for regional and international trade.
The event comes at a time when Transnet and South Africa’s shipping sector are under pressure to improve logistics efficiency. The ability to berth and service vessels of this magnitude, especially on short notice, is being viewed as a positive indicator that the country can handle the growing demands of global commerce.
The MSC Rifaya’s historic stopover has not only showcased the scale of South Africa’s port capabilities but has also reaffirmed the Port of Durban’s strategic role in the global shipping network.
