SIMIC

MSC has a policy of not commenting on ship orders, although a contact at New Times confirmed the order to Container News. Delivery of the new-buildings, priced at more than US$1.68 billion, is expected between 2024 and 2025.

MSC is a first-time customer at New Times, which is also building four 13,000 TEU ships for Chartworld Shipping and seven 7,000 TEU ships for Eastern Pacific Shipping for delivery between 2023 and 2024.

Ships with a capacity of 7,000 TEU to 8,000 TEU are increasingly popular as they can be deployed to mid-haul trades, such as the Far East-Persian Gulf, forcing out the 4,000 TEU to 5,000 TEU vessels that are now serving this lane.