MSC to Invest Over $1.2 Billion in LNG Dual-Fuel Containership Fleet Expansion
Swiss container shipping giant MSC is set to invest over $1.2 billion in fleet expansion through a new order for up to six LNG dual-fuel containerships at a Chinese shipyard.
MSC has recently contracted CMHI Haimen, a shipyard under China Merchants Industry Group (CMI), for three firm and three optional 22,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships, according to Greek shipbroker Intermodal.
The estimated price for each vessel is between $206 million and $210 million, totaling over $1.2 billion if all six ships are ordered.
The newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in 2027.
With this latest shipbuilding deal, MSC continues its ordering spree at Chinese shipyards. Earlier this year, the Swiss shipping company signed a contract with Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard for 4+2+2 eco-friendly LNG dual-fuel containerships, each with a 22,000 TEU capacity.
In late December 2024, MSC also placed an order for ten 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel units at Hengli Heavy Industries in Dalian, China, with deliveries expected between 2028 and 2030.
Meanwhile, new LNG-powered vessels continue to join MSC’s fleet, with the 16,000 TEU MSC Germany being the most recent addition.
As shipowners prioritize future-ready assets in response to regulatory pressure, fuel availability, and long-term decarbonization goals, LNG remains the leading alternative fuel. According to data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, 87 new LNG-powered vessels have been added to the global orderbook—81 of which are in the container segment.
