Swiss shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is stepping up its investment in newbuildings to modernize its fleet, and has signed contracts with another two Chinese shipyards for as many as 18 LNG dual-fuel-powered containerships, at a cost of about $2.94 billion.
MSC has signed a contract with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for the construction of six 19,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships at a cost of $210 million each, according to data released by shipbrokerage firm Intermodal Shipbrokers. The total value of the order is $1.26 billion and is expected to be delivered from 2027 to 2028.
Besides, MSC Signed a contract with Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry Co., Ltd. (Jinglu Shipyard) for the construction of 8+4 11,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships, with a cost of $140 million each, and together with the option vessels, the total value of the order is $1,680 million, which is expected to be delivered from 2027 to 2028.
It is reported that MSC has signed a contract with Zhoushan Changhong International for the construction of 12 19,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships before the orders from SWS and Jinglu Shipyard were announced. Referring to SWS’s single-vessel cost, the total value of the order between MSC and Zhoushan Changhong International is estimated to be $2.52 billion, which is the second time for the two parties to join hands following the projects of 10 11,500 TEU and 10 10,300 TEU LNG Dual Fuel large-scale containerships.
There is also news in the industry that MSC has signed a contract with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co., Ltd(HT) for 10 21,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships, which are expected to be delivered from the second half of 2027 to 2028. If MSC’s large order of 10 dual-fuel containerships is confirmed, it will be the first time for HT to get involved in the containership market since its establishment, and it is also another major breakthrough realized by the shipyard this year.
In addition, industry rumors indicate that MSC is also planning to place an order for an unknown number of 12,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships at the former Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries. If the order is confirmed, as once China’s largest private shipbuilding enterprise, Rongsheng Heavy Industries may usher in the “resurrection”.
As the world’s largest container shipping company, MSC’s total capacity has recently exceeded 6 million TEUs, according to the latest Top 100 ranking released by shipping analyst Alphaliner.The company currently operates a total of 849 vessels, of which 552 are owned; and has an order book of 133 containerships, equivalent to 1.8 million TEU of capacity.
MSC has been strongly advocating the use of LNG as a marine fuel in order to meet its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. MSC’s fleet renewal strategy includes 100 dual-fuel vessels, says company CEO Soren Toft. At the same time, MSC has joined the SEA LNG and aims to work with the organization to explore the prospects of bio-LNG, particularly renewable synthetic LNG.