World-leading container line MSC has ordered 20 container vessels in Asia, according to Clarksons Research. The majority will be built in China.
Photo: PR / MSC
MSC, which in the beginning of 2022 took over the title as the world’s largest container carrier from Maersk, is behind a significant order of container ships in Asia.
All in all, the company has commissioned 20 vessels at yards in China and South Korea, writes analyst firm Clarksons Research in an update.
14 of the vessels are at 8,000 teu and ordered in China at New Times Shipbuilding, according to the analyst firm. The ships will be prepared to sail on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The remaining six vessels are a bit smaller, 7,900 teu, and will be built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries for USD 134.3m apiece, reports Clarksons Research Services.
Apparently, the ships are expected for delivery in 2025.
In January, MSC usurped the throne as the world’s biggest container line from Maersk. For a long time, MSC has expanded its fleet significantly by purchasing and chartering ships.
MSC has since increased its distance to Maersk. Currently, MSC operates a little more than 100,000 teu more than Maersk with a total fleet of 4,352,617 teu, equivalent to a market share of 17.1 percent, according to analyst firm Alphaliner. Maersk’s fleet has a size of 4,242,430 teu, corresponding to a market share of 16.7 percent.
