MSC Orders 3 Dual-Fuel Ultra-Large Container Ships at Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 2, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC, a Swiss container shipping company) placed an order for 3 21,700 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel ultra-large container ships at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The contract was signed earlier this year, with deliveries scheduled for March, July, and November 2029 respectively; shipbrokers estimate a unit price of approximately USD 210 million, totaling approximately USD 630 million for the 3 vessels.

The new ships have a designed capacity of 21,700 TEU each, adding a combined potential transport capacity of 65,100 TEU across the three vessels. 21,700 TEU represents the ship's designed container carrying capacity and does not mean that this actual loading volume can be achieved on every voyage; the final cargo capacity is also affected by factors such as cargo weight, container type mix, stability, and route restrictions.

The propulsion system adopts an LNG dual-fuel solution, capable of operating on liquefied natural gas or corresponding marine liquid fuels. Compared with single-fuel propulsion, the dual-fuel system provides vessels with operational choices between different fuels and also enables vessels to adjust fuel usage according to fuel supply and operating conditions. LNG combustion can typically reduce sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions and reduce some nitrogen oxide emissions, but the actual greenhouse gas reduction effect also depends on engine technology, methane slip, and LNG supply chain emissions.

MSC had previously ordered 10 ships of the same series at Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, including 6 LNG dual-fuel container ships originally designed at 19,000 TEU-class ordered in 2024, and 4 additional ships ordered in 2025. If the new order for 3 ships is confirmed, the two parties' cooperative order for this series will increase to 13 ships.