Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipowner, has once again joined forces with Hengli Heavy Industries—a private Chinese shipbuilder that has emerged as a rapidly growing “dark horse” in the industry—to place a major order in the container ship newbuild market.
According to the latest weekly report from shipping consultancy Linerlytica, MSC has reportedly placed an additional order with Hengli Heavy Industries for 20 ultra-large container ships, each with a capacity of 24,000 TEU. Details regarding the contract value, delivery dates, and propulsion system specifications have not yet been disclosed. This order has not yet been officially confirmed by either MSC or Hengli Heavy Industries.
The partnership between MSC and Hengli Heavy Industries began with a strategic cooperation agreement signed in August 2024, which established a comprehensive framework for collaboration across areas including new shipbuilding, marine engines, ship repair, and vessel retrofitting.
Over the past two years, MSC has built up a substantial order backlog at Hengli Heavy Industries. Should this latest order for 20 vessels be confirmed, the total number of container ships with capacities of 20,000 TEU or greater commissioned through this partnership will reach 62. These vessels, ranging in size from 21,000 TEU to 24,000 TEU, are expected to begin delivery in 2027.
It is worth noting that Hengli Heavy Industries has secured its first-ever full-vessel orders in the container ship market, including its maiden contract for dual-fuel vessels: an order from MSC for ten 21,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships. According to information released by Hengli Heavy Industries, these 21,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships measure 380 meters in length, 58.6 meters in breadth, and 33.2 meters in depth. The first two vessels (C21K-1 and C21K-2) were launched on October 16.
As the world’s largest liner operator—boasting a capacity far ahead of its competitors—MSC’s placement of this massive order further underscores the company’s aggressive fleet expansion strategy.
Based on Alphaliner data, as of the end of September 2026, MSC’s operational fleet stood at approximately 7.4 million TEU, accounting for 21.5% of global liner capacity; its order book has reached approximately 2.94 million TEU. The combined total of its operational fleet and order book has surpassed the 10-million-TEU mark. If the latest 20 ultra-large container ships, each with a capacity of 24,000 TEU, are delivered, MSC’s orderbook capacity will exceed 3.4 million TEU.
Across the broader container newbuild market, rumors of these latest orders from MSC emerge amid a renewed surge in container ship newbuilding activity. Linerlytica estimates that the global container ship orderbook has reached 16.2 million TEU—equivalent to 46.5% of the existing global fleet—the highest ratio seen since 2009.
As for shipbuilders, Hengli Heavy Industries has maintained strong order momentum; since the beginning of October, it has announced 28 confirmed orders—all from overseas shipowners. These include 11 very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) with capacities ranging from 88,000 to 93,000 cubic meters, 6 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), 4 LR2 tankers, 2 Suezmax tankers, 4 feeder container ships, and 1 bulk carrier.