On 24 July 2026, the Port of Gdynia wrote a new chapter in its history. The MSC Venice – a 399-metre, 16,652-TEU container ship built in 2016 – became the largest vessel ever to call at the port. Nothing of this scale had ever entered Gdynia before.
Four FAIRPLAY tugs handled the berthing operation: FAIRPLAY-97, FAIRPLAY XVI, FAIRPLAY VII, and FAIRPLAY-74. Together, they guided the MSC Venice to the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) and the Hel Quay, a precision job that demands experience, coordination, and a thorough knowledge of local conditions.
What made this call possible was years of preparation. The Port of Gdynia has invested heavily in infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this class: the port basin was deepened through dredging, the Helskie Quay was reconstructed, and Turning Basin No. 2 was expanded. BCT, operated by ICTSI, also brought in new quay cranes and yard equipment. The arrival of the MSC Venice was the proof of concept.
For the port, this is more than a record, it’s a signal. Gdynia is positioning itself as a competitive deep-sea hub in the Baltic, capable of handling the same vessel classes that call at the major North Sea and Mediterranean ports. With a deadweight capacity of 186,650 tonnes and a beam of 54 metres, the MSC Venice sits firmly at the upper end of what modern port infrastructure must be able to handle.
We’re proud that our tugs and crews were part of this milestone. Operations like this one reflect exactly what our teams are trained and equipped for and what we’re here for at 24 ports across Europe.
