Since the unprecedented buying spree began in August 2020, the total number of second-hand cargo ships added to Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) fleet, primarily to replace chartered tonnage, has now reached what Alphaliner calls an “astonishing” 461 vessels.
The world’s largest container shipping line, having recently surpassed the 7 million TEU mark, has added three more second-hand vessels to its massive fleet.
The 3,651 TEU Atlantica Pioneer was purchased from Oslo-headquartered Atlantica Shipping for a reported price exceeding $45 million. The disposal of this container ship means the Norwegian shipowner no longer owns any container vessels.
Meanwhile, MSC purchased the 3,799 TEU Irenes Resolve from Greece’s Tsakos Shipping & Trading for $23 million, while also acquiring the 3,534 TEU Kobe, controlled by Marlow, for $32 million.
In addition to the massive acquisition of second-hand ships, MSC has also kept Asian shipyards busy throughout the 2020s. According to Alphaliner data, the company currently holds a record orderbook of 123 vessels, totaling over 2.1 million TEU.
