MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) Table Bay, Cape Town
MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864): Maritime Photography and Vessel Overview
MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) vessel profile featuring specifications, operational history, global container shipping role and maritime photography insights.Photographer's Note: MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) was photographed by Vernon Chalmers in Table Bay, Cape Town. The image forms part of the Vernon Chalmers Photography Maritime Studies Project and is also published in the Shipspotting.com database.
MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864)
The MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) is a Liberian-flagged container ship operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world's largest container shipping companies. Although she is not among the newest vessels in the MSC fleet, the ship continues to play an important role in maintaining scheduled liner services that connect Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Her regular presence on international trade routes demonstrates the continued commercial value of well-maintained mid-generation container vessels.Built in 2005 by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea, MSC ANYA V represents an era when container ships were becoming significantly larger to meet growing global demand while remaining flexible enough to serve a wide variety of ports. With an overall length of approximately 294 metres, a gross tonnage of 55,510, and a deadweight of nearly 75,000 tonnes, the vessel is capable of transporting around 5,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containerised cargo. (MagicPort)
Vernon Chalmers Maritime Studies
A Vessel with a Long Operational History
Like many commercial vessels of her generation, MSC ANYA V has sailed under several previous names before joining the MSC fleet. Earlier identities include Maersk Detroit, Cap Serrat, and Santa Pelagia, reflecting the common practice of transferring vessels between operators as shipping markets evolve. Today she sails under the Liberian flag with the call sign D5GD2 and remains actively employed in international liner services. (Marine Vessel Traffic)
Rather than serving a single trade lane throughout her career, the vessel has adapted to changing commercial requirements. Recent voyage information indicates operations between Southern Africa, West Africa, and ports along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The ship has also called at Walvis Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newark, Savannah, and other strategically important commercial ports. (MagicPort)
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Supporting International Supply Chains
MSC ANYA V transports the wide variety of cargo that keeps international commerce moving. Containers carried aboard vessels of this class typically include manufactured products, industrial equipment, consumer goods, refrigerated cargo, food products, automotive components, and retail merchandise.
Because container shipping operates on fixed schedules, reliability is often more important than outright speed. Ships such as MSC ANYA V form part of the predictable logistics networks upon which manufacturers, retailers, importers, and exporters depend. Every successful voyage contributes to the continuity of global supply chains.
The Maritime Environment Through Photography
Maritime Significance for Southern Africa
The vessel is a familiar sight in Southern African waters. For maritime observers and ship photographers around Cape Town, the arrival or departure of MSC ANYA V illustrates the importance of South African ports within international container shipping networks. Cape Town, Durban, Ngqura, and Port Elizabeth continue to serve as essential hubs linking African markets with Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
For photographers documenting commercial shipping in Table Bay, vessels such as MSC ANYA V provide excellent opportunities to record modern container operations against the backdrop of one of the world's most recognisable natural harbours.
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Operational Performance
After more than two decades of service, MSC ANYA V remains an active member of the global merchant fleet. Her continued operation reflects the durability of modern shipbuilding standards and the effectiveness of scheduled maintenance, classification surveys, and international safety management systems.
Despite rapid advances in container ship design, vessels in the 5,000-TEU class continue to offer operational flexibility by serving ports that may not accommodate the latest ultra-large container ships. This versatility allows operators to maintain efficient regional and intercontinental services while balancing capacity with market demand.
Conclusion
MSC ANYA V demonstrates how experienced container vessels continue to contribute significantly to international trade long after their launch. Although newer and larger ships increasingly dominate major east-west trade routes, vessels of her class remain indispensable for maintaining reliable liner services across diverse markets.
Her ongoing presence in Southern African waters highlights the enduring importance of the region within global maritime commerce. For shipspotters, photographers, and maritime enthusiasts, MSC ANYA V represents more than a container ship—she is a visible reminder of the continuous movement of goods that underpins the modern global economy.
References
ImportInfo. (2026). MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) vessel information and shipment history. https://www.importinfo.com/vessel/msc-anya-v/9297864 (ImportInfo)
MagicPort. (2026). MSC ANYA V (IMO 9297864) container ship profile. https://magicport.ai/vessels/container/msc-anya-v-mmsi-636016424 (MagicPort)
Marine Vessel Traffic. (2026). MSC ANYA V vessel particulars. https://www.marinevesseltraffic.com/ship-owner-manager-ism-data/MSC-ANYA-V/9297864/636016424 (Marine Vessel Traffic)
Steamship Mutual. (2026). MSC ANYA V vessel record. https://www.steamshipmutual.com/msc-anya-v (steamshipmutual.com)
EconDB Maritime. (2026). MSC ANYA V vessel profile. https://www.econdb.com/maritime/vessels/636016424/MSC%20ANYA%20V/ (Econdb)
