MSC tipped for another 20 megamaxes in China

Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has reportedly added another 20 megamax containerships at China’s Hengli Heavy Industries, further expanding its already massive orderbook as global newbuilding commitments climb to their highest level in more than a decade.

According to liner consultancy Linerlytica, Gianluigi Aponte’s carrier has booked 20 additional 24,000 teu vessels at the Dalian-based shipbuilder, representing another 480,000 teu of future capacity.

The latest deal takes MSC’s programme of vessels exceeding 20,000 teu at Hengli to 62 ships, Linerlytica said in its latest weekly market report. No contract value, delivery dates or propulsion specifications have been disclosed for the new batch.

MSC has built up a substantial pipeline at Hengli since the two companies signed a strategic cooperation agreement in 2024. The liner giant initially contracted ten 21,000 teu and ten 24,000 teu LNG dual-fuel newbuildings, before returning for six 22,000 teu ships last year.

The latest reported order adds another sizeable block of capacity to an expansion programme that already dwarfs those of rival carriers.

At the end of September, Alphaliner data cited by Splash put MSC’s operated fleet at around 7.4m teu, representing 21.5% of global liner capacity, with another 2.94m teu on order. Its combined fleet and orderbook had already passed the 10m teu mark.

MSC’s latest move comes amid a renewed surge in container newbuilding activity. Linerlytica estimates the global containership orderbook has reached 16.2m teu, equivalent to 46.5% of the existing fleet, the highest ratio since 2009.

South Korea’s HMM is also pressing ahead with its fleet expansion, confirming contracts worth about KRW1.92trn ($1.44bn) for eight 13,000 teu LNG dual-fuel containerships at HD Hyundai.

Six vessels will be built at HD Hyundai Samho and two at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with deliveries starting in 2029. HMM plans to deploy the ships on its Far East–India–Mediterranean service.

The Korean carrier has also acquired four feeder vessels through resale agreements, comprising three 2,800 teu ships and one of 1,700 teu.

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