MSC’s Vessel Acquisition Spree: Reshaping the Charter Market

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  • MSC’s aggressive acquisition of over 420 vessels since 2020 has made it a key player in the global boxship fleet, accounting for more than 17%.
  • This buying spree has reduced the number of ships available for charter, causing daily charter rates to surge and compelling competitors like Maersk, CMA CGM, and Cosco to secure tonnage in advance.
  • MSC’s focus on long-term charters and forward fixing indicates its intent to dominate the market amidst a shortage of larger vessels, with deals stretching into 2026 and beyond.

MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, is reshaping the charter market with its relentless acquisition of second-hand vessels and aggressive chartering deals. These moves have significantly reduced vessel availability, driving up daily rates and forcing rivals to secure tonnage early, reports Loadstar.

MSC’s Acquisitions: A Game Changer

Since 2020, MSC has acquired over 420 vessels, equivalent to 17% of the global boxship fleet, according to Linerlytica. The recent purchases include:

  1. Shina (5,117 TEU, 2005-built)
  2. CSL Manhattan (5,039 TEU, 2005-built)
  3. Ludwig Schulte (1,749 TEU, 2008-built)

This strategy has positioned MSC as the primary driver behind the sharp rebound in charter rates this year.

Surge in Charter Rates

MSC’s vessel absorption has led to a scarcity in the charter market, prompting carriers to fix forward contracts for their preferred tonnage.

Deliveries are now extending into the second half of 2025 and early 2026.

Recent Charter Highlights:

  1. Manzanillo Bridge (8,030 TEU): Chartered for $90,000/day for three months.
  2. 9,000 TEU Ships (from Zim): Fixed for three years at $40,000+/day each.
  3. Extended Charters: Several 8,000 TEU ships extended into 2026 and 2027.

These deals underline MSC’s strategy to secure its position in an increasingly competitive market.

Competitors Forced to Adapt

Rivals like Maersk, CMA CGM, and Cosco have been compelled to renew vessel charters and seek additional tonnage to counter MSC’s aggressive moves. MB Shipbrokers noted stable terms across the board. They emphasized the firmer market conditions driven by MSC’s volume of forward fixing.

Market Implications for Larger Vessels

Market rumors suggest MSC is negotiating another major deal involving the extension of ten chartered vessels (7,500–9,500 TEU), set to open in 2026.

The shortage of larger vessels highlights MSC’s intent to dominate this segment, as it positions itself strategically in the face of limited supply.

MSC’s unrelenting pursuit of second-hand containerships and strategic long-term charters is reshaping the shipping industry. With deals extending into the late 2020s, MSC remains firmly ahead in the race to dominate the global container shipping market.

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Source: Loadstar