MSC adds new unit to its 16,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel fleet

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has delivered the first 16,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel containership ordered by Minsheng Financial Leasing (MSFL) on behalf of Swiss shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

According to the shipbuilder, the vessel named MSC Viola was delivered 172 days ahead of schedule, on January 9, 2025, at its Tianjin shipyard.

Construction of this containership began on May 15, 2023.

MSC Viola features a total length of about 366 meters, a molded width of 51 meters, and a molded depth of 30.2 meters, with a capacity to carry 16,196 standard containers.

As reported previously, the ship’s main engine is equipped with iCER-diesel green energy-saving system, and the auxiliary generator is equipped with a low-pressure SCR system, which meets Tier III nitrogen oxide emission requirements.

The main engine, auxiliary generator set, and auxiliary boiler are all equipped with a dual-fuel supply system, which can burn low-sulfur fuel oil and LNG gas fuel to meet the emission requirements of sulfur oxides. It is also installed with the B-type LNG fuel tank, which was independently designed and built by DSIC, with independent intellectual property rights.

At the same time, the ship comes with various energy-saving equipment such as an air lubrication drag reduction system, a shaft generator, and an energy-saving guide wheel in front of the propeller.

In recent related news, DSIC also delivered 16,000 TEU MSC Maria Cristina, fitted with a 13,000 cbm type B LNG fuel tank, the ‘biggest of its kind’ in the world’, to the shipping company in October 2024. The second vessel from this series, MSC Carmela, was handed over to MSC on January 8, 2025.

In 2024, the Swiss giant ordered a number of dual-fuel containerships in China, spending billions of US dollars, likely prompted by the need to invest in decarbonization by replacing the aging part of its fleet as well as to retain its global position and scale further.

The most recent order was placed at the end of December 2024 for ten 24,000 TEU LNG-powered units at Hengli Heavy Industries, Dalian, China, according to data provided by Greek Intermodal Shipbrokers.