MSC Expands LNG Container Ship Order With Eight More Vessels

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has taken another step toward expanding its LNG-powered fleet by confirming options for eight additional 11,500 teu dual-fuel containerships at China’s Penglai Jinglu Shipyard.

This move brings the total number of vessels in the series to 16, following the original order placed in 2024. According to market sources, each ship is priced at approximately $135m to $140m, putting the overall value of the program at about $2.2bn.

The vessels are expected to be delivered progressively through 2029.

The newly confirmed ships are believed to be identical to the first batch in both layout and technical features. LNG dual-fuel propulsion remains central to the design, highlighting MSC’s ongoing commitment to investing in alternative-fuel tonnage on a large scale, even as the container shipping market navigates a weaker cycle.

The agreement with Jinglu is part of a broader pattern of recent newbuilding activity by the world’s largest container carrier. MSC has also re-entered the mid-sized ship segment, placing orders at China’s Yangzhou Guoyu Shipyard.

Market reports suggest at least two firm orders for 5,000 teu vessels, with options that could increase the total. These conventionally fueled ships are scheduled for delivery from the second half of 2028, with some brokers indicating prices may come in below $60m due to relatively simple designs and limited reefer capacity.

MSC currently holds the largest orderbook in the container shipping sector, with more than 2.1m teu on order, representing close to 30% of its existing fleet capacity. Most of this capacity is concentrated in vessels of 10,000 teu and above, extending up to 24,000 teu.

Alongside its newbuilding strategy, the Geneva-based carrier has remained active in the secondhand market, acquiring sub-10,000 teu ships over the past four years to support regional and feeder services.