MSC Orders 10 More Megaships, Expands LNG-Focused Fleet

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has expanded its already massive newbuild program with orders for ten additional ultra-large container ships, further cementing its dominance in fleet expansion. With this latest move, MSC’s orderbook now surpasses the total active fleet of Ocean Network Express (ONE), currently the sixth-largest container carrier globally.

Among the newly confirmed contracts are two 22,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels to be built at Hengli Heavy Industry in Dalian, China. These ships are expected to be delivered in 2029.

Simultaneously, MSC has signed a separate agreement for two 21,700 TEU LNG-ready ships at Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, also scheduled for completion in 2029.

The largest portion of this order wave comes from China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, where MSC has placed firm orders for three 21,000 TEU LNG-capable ships, with an option for three more. The first three are set to be delivered in 2028, with the optional trio likely to follow, based on MSC’s historical trends.

Although pricing specifics have not been released, industry estimates suggest each LNG-ready vessel could be valued at approximately $200 million.

These additions significantly bolster MSC’s already formidable construction pipeline, which now includes roughly 130 vessels representing nearly 2.2 million TEU in capacity. Meanwhile, its operational fleet is approaching the 7 million TEU milestone.

The new orders underscore MSC’s strategic shift toward LNG as a bridging fuel, marking a continued commitment to alternative propulsion technologies during the transition to greener shipping.