Dalian starts construction of MSC’s 10th LNG-powered 16,000 TEU boxship

April 4, 2023, by Fatima Bahtić

Dalian Shipbuilding (DSIC), part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has started the construction of the tenth 16,000 TEU containership for Swiss shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

As disclosed, the construction of the ship, which will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), began on 3 April.

The total length of the ship is about 366 meters, the molded width is 51 meters, and it can carry more than 16,200 standard containers. It encompasses environmentally friendly, efficient and energy-saving technologies.

This includes equipment such as air lubrication system, shaft generator, and energy-saving guide wheel in front of the propeller. With the new technologies installed on the vessel, the company expects to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) emission reduction targets and comply with the energy efficiency design index (EEDI). Its EEDI is more than 65% lower than the baseline, according to Dalian.

The containership also features a ship energy efficiency management system, which integrates many energy-saving measures suitable for actual ship operation.

A B -type LNG fuel tank independently designed and built by Dalian Shipbuilding will be installed onboard the vessel. Swiss marine propulsion provider WinGD has been contracted to supply the engine for the unit.

To remind, MSC ordered ships back in 2021 concluding several separate deals for up to 17 LNG-ready Neo Panamax vessels, split between Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI) and Dalian Shipbuilding.

These units are the first large containerships built by Dalian Shipbuilding powered by LNG, the company noted.

The construction of MSC’s 16,000 TEU ultra-large containerships in China is ramping up since the beginning of the year. In January 2023, Dalian launched a new 16,000 TEU boxship for MSC, MSC Chiyo.

Based on the data from VesselsValue, there are two 16,000 TEU containerships at DSIC that are scheduled for delivery to MSC in 2023. Six additional vessels of the same size are expected to follow suit in 2025.