MSC ramps up megamax expansion with $1.2bn shipbuilding deal in China

Gianluigi Aponte’s Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is set to enhance its fleet with a significant new shipbuilding agreement in China. The Swiss-based shipping giant has placed an order for up to six new megamax containerships, each boasting a capacity of 22,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), from China Merchants Heavy Industries’ Haimen shipyard. This move underscores MSC’s commitment to expanding its already substantial presence in the global shipping market.

Major Investment in LNG Dual-Fuel Ships

Each of the new LNG dual-fuel vessels is estimated to cost over $200 million, with the first deliveries anticipated to commence in 2027. This latest order adds to MSC’s impressive fleet, which currently includes approximately 6.67 million TEU in carrying capacity, representing around 20% of the global operated fleet. The company has a robust orderbook of more than 120 ships, which is expected to increase its capacity by over 2 million TEU in the coming years.

MSC’s 2023 Sustainability Report: Navigating Transition and Achieving Milestones

Earlier this year, MSC also returned to Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard and Hengli Heavy Industry in China for additional orders of LNG dual-fuel megamax containerships, ranging from 21,700 TEU to 24,000 TEU, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029. If the latest order is confirmed, MSC’s backlog will exceed 60 ships, further solidifying its position as a leader in the container shipping industry. This deal also marks a significant milestone for China Merchants Heavy Industries, as it ventures into the construction of large boxships for the first time.