The world’s largest container shipping company MSC is
delivering on its promise to inject massive vessel capacity into its fleet this
year.
Namely, the Swiss-based container shipping giant has
welcomed into the fleet another giant 24,000 TEU vessel, MSC Irina, which was
built by Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding Co.
With a massive 24,346 TEUs and measuring 399.99 meters
in length and 61.3 meters in beam, the
vessel is a true mammoth of the seas.
The ship incorporates several innovative energy-saving
features, including a small bulbous bow, large-diameter propellers, and
energy-saving ducts. It is also equipped with an air lubrication system that
reduces drag on the hull and shaft generators that generate additional power.
According to shipyard officials, these technologies
could result in a 3-4 percent reduction in energy consumption, thereby cutting
CO2 emissions and overall meeting EEDI III.
The delivery of MSC Irina coincides with the delivery
of 24,116 TEU MSC Tessa, as both vessels were delivered on March 9, according
to China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
MSC Irina was scheduled to start its maiden voyage on
the afternoon of March 11. Meanwhile, MSC Tessa is already underway in the East
China Sea, heading for the Port of Ningbo.
Both boxships were
ordered by China’s Bank of Communications Financial
Leasing (Bocomm Leasing) for MSC in 2020 as part of a
four-vessel deal worth an estimated $600 million.
Swiss-based container shipping giant MSC has the
largest orderbook by far in the industry with over 134 containerships on
order. The company has 14 megamax ships and 22 neo-panamax ships on order
scheduled for delivery this year, according to Alphaliner.
The company has been investing significantly in its
fleet renewal, and one of the reasons behind the buildup of fleet capacity has been the company’s strategy to operate as a
stand-alone carrier in the major deep-sea trades once the 2M Alliance ends in
2025.