MSC’s 20-Ship Order Could Push Global Box Fleet Past 46% Expansion
Unconfirmed deal with Hengli Heavy Industries would add 480,000 TEU to MSC’s orderbook.
The world’s largest container shipping line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has reportedly placed an order for 20 additional ultra-large container vessels, each with a capacity of 24,000 TEU. If confirmed, the deal would add 480,000 TEU to MSC’s orderbook, further solidifying its dominance in global maritime trade.
Neither MSC nor China’s Hengli Heavy Industries, the shipbuilder involved, has officially verified the transaction. The order was first mentioned in a market report by shipping consultancy Linerlytica, though key details, such as the contract’s value, delivery schedule, and engine specifications, remain undisclosed.
MSC Reportedly Expands Fleet with 20 Mega-Ships from Chinese Shipyard: Order
MSC currently operates a fleet with a capacity of approximately 7.4 million TEU, representing 21.5% of global liner capacity, according to data from Alphaliner. The company already has 2.94 million TEU on order, bringing its combined fleet and orderbook to over 10 million TEU. If the latest order is finalized, MSC’s total orderbook would exceed 3.4 million TEU.
Natural Gas
The global orderbook for new container ships has reached 16.2 million TEU, equivalent to 46.5% of the existing fleet, the highest ratio since 2009. While the surge in new orders reflects strong investment in shipping capacity, analysts caution that the long-term effects on freight rates and supply-demand balance remain uncertain.
MSC and Hengli formalized their partnership in August 2024 with a strategic agreement covering shipbuilding, marine engines, repairs, and retrofits. Since then, MSC has placed multiple orders with the Chinese yard, including ten 21,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships, Hengli’s first full-vessel contracts in the container segment and its first for dual-fuel technology. The first two ships in that series, C21K-1 and C21K-2, were launched on October 16, each measuring 380 meters long, 58.6 meters wide, and 33.2 meters deep.
Industry Impact and Hengli’s Role in MSC’s Expansion
It is unclear whether the newly reported 24,000-TEU vessels will use conventional or alternative fuels. Meanwhile, Hengli has been expanding its orderbook beyond MSC, securing 28 confirmed orders since early October. These include 11 very large ammonia carriers (VLACs), six very large crude carriers (VLCCs), and other commercial vessels.
Deliveries for MSC’s 20,000+ TEU ships are expected to begin in 2027, though exact timelines remain unconfirmed. The industry will be watching for an official announcement, which could signal the next phase of MSC’s fleet expansion strategy.
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