Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the global liner giant, is increasing its investment in new shipbuilding projects to continue expanding its fleet.
According to foreign media reports, MSC has ordered up to six 22,000TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ships from China Merchants Heavy Industries Haimen shipyard (CMHI Haimen shipyard), which are expected to be delivered starting in 2027. The cost of each ship exceeds US$200 million, and the total value of the order exceeds US$1.2 billion.
It is worth noting that if MSC’s six 22,000TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships are confirmed, it will be the first time that a shipyard under China Merchants Industry has undertaken an ultra-large container ship order. It also means that MSC’s total order for ultra-large container ships above 20,000TEU (including option ships) has increased to 52.
Industry insiders said, “MSC continues to place shipbuilding orders in China despite US President Trump’s pressure on China, which has attracted the attention of the industry.”
In response to the industry’s view, earlier this month, MSC Senior Vice President Marie-Caroline Laurent said at the Norshipping Conference in Oslo, Norway: “U.S. policy changes will not be an obstacle to ordering more ships in China.”
Marie-Caroline Laurent’s views have been reflected in MSC’s shipbuilding projects this year. Since the beginning of this year, MSC and its subsidiaries have ordered a number of new ships from Chinese shipyards, mainly container ships and ro-ro ships, involving Zhoushan Changhong International, Guangzhou Shipyard International and Hengli Heavy Industries.