SIMIC

The vessel is the second of a class of four giant containerships, which will be the world's largest by capacity being built by the shipyard for MSC. The line has four similar ships also on order from China's Jiangnan Shipyard. The vessels are due for delivery starting at the end of 2022 and in 2023.

Despite the current slowing in volumes and rapid decline in freight rates, MSC is continuing its build-out of its fleet at a record pace. Already the largest containership operator, the carrier has orders equalling 40 per cent of its current capacity and continues to buy secondhand vessels.

The MSC vessels along with others built by Hudong including for Cosco and Evergreen all have similar dimensions with an overall length of 1,312 feet and a beam of 202 feet. The design was independently developed by the shipyard but changes in the deckhouse and container stacks will increase the rated capacity of the MSC ships to make them the largest.

With these latest orders, the industry's overall orderbook stands at approximately 6.5 million TEU due for delivery between 2023 and 2025. The bulk of the orders are due for delivery later in 2023 with Alphaliner reporting that 2.34 million TEU is due for delivery in 2023 and a further 2.83 million TEU is scheduled for delivery in 2024.