Swiss shipping behemoth MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company is investing heavily in fleet renewal, with agreements signed for up to 18 new containerships, all to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to OffShore Energy.
New Orders at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding
According to data published by Intermodal Shipbrokers, MSC has ordered six boxships from the Chinese shipyard Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS). These vessels, each with a capacity of 19,000 TEU, come with a price tag of $210 million. The dual-fueled ships are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
In addition to the SWS order, MSC is investing in up to twelve more containerships from China’s Penglai Jinglu. This contract includes eight firm vessels with the option to order four more. The 11,500 TEU ships are also LNG dual-fueled and will be delivered between 2027 and 2028, with each vessel valued at $140 million.
Zhoushan Changhong International Shipbuilding
The orders come on the back of the recent announcement of a 12-ship deal with Zhoushan Changhong International Shipbuilding. According to the shipyard, the new vessels will be the latest generation of ultra-large boxships developed and designed by CIMC’s subsidiary CIMC Ocean Engineering Design and Research Institute (CIMC ORIC).
In addition to LNG propulsion, the new builds will be ammonia and methanol-ready with various energy-saving optimization equipment
MSC’s Fleet & Environmental Commitment
The latest update of the league table produced by Alphaliner, the Top 100, shows that MSC recently slipped past the six million TEU mark. The world’s largest container shipping company now controls a total of 849 ships, out of which it now owns 552 vessels.
The table further shows that MSC has 133 containerships on order, which represent 1.8 million TEU of capacity.
Last year, MSC emerged as the first ocean carrier to surpass a staggering 5 million TEUs in fleet capacity, growing its fleet from 4 million TEUs to 5 million TEUs in almost a year.
In alignment with its net-zero commitment by 2050, MSC has been a strong advocate of LNG as a marine fuel. Soren Toft, the firm’s CEO, said that MSC’s fleet renewal strategy includes 100 dual-fuel vessels. The shipowner also joined the SEA LNG coalition, with the aim of collaborating with the organisation on exploring the prospects of bio-LNG, particularly renewable synthetic LNG.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Offshore-Energy
