MSC’s Newbuildings Break 23,000 TEU Threshold

The giant containerships ordered by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) at Korean yards last year will feature 23,000 TEU, based on the details released by German engine builder MAN Diesel and Turbo.

Under the deal announced in September 2017, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) will construct six of the vessels while Daewoo Shipping Marine Engineering (DSME) will construct the remaining five.

The eleven mega-ships will be powered by G95ME-C9.5 main engines, MAN Diesel & Turbo said earlier today. The ‘G’ prefix stands for an ultra-long stroke engine design that reduces engine speed, enabling ships to achieve high-efficiency.

“G-type engines’ longer stroke results in a lower rpm for the engine driving the propeller. This lower optimum engine speed allows the use of a larger propeller and is, ultimately, significantly more efficient in terms of engine propulsion. Together with an optimized engine design, this means that the MSC newbuildings will enjoy a reduced fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions,” MAN explained.

As informed, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI-EMD) will construct the ME-C engines for SHI, while Doosan Engine will construct those for DSME.

MAN Diesel & Turbo has also won the order to supply the GenSets for each vessel in the form of 3 × MAN 9L32/40 + 2 × MAN 6L32/40 units, to be constructed by STX Engine in Korea.

Bjarne Foldager, Vice President of Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business, at MAN Diesel & Turbo, said the order cements the company’s strong position within the large containership segment “where the G-type is the market’s preferred engine.”

Back in September, DSME said that the five ships were contracted for KRW 926.6 billion (USD 817 million), while SHI, announcing the contract for the sextet said the deal was worth KRW 1.118 trillion (USD 982.6 million). Hence, the total value of the 11 ships would be around USD 1.8 billion.

However, the duo noted that the final value of the orders would depend on the company’s propulsion choice for the newbuildings.

The handover of the boxships is expected to start in 2019 from SHI, with the final vessel from the series due for delivery by March 15, 2020 from DSME.