Switzerland-based shipping giant MSC has ordered 20 LNG-powered containerships at China’s New Times Shipbuilding, according to brokers and shipbuilding sources.
New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu would build ten 8,100-teu and ten 11,400-teu LNG-dual fuel containerships for MSC, the largest single order for the yard.
MSC would start taking deliveries of these SDARI-designed vessels in 2024.
According to one source, this order is related to a contract revealed earlier this year where MSC booked 14 7,900-teu LNG-dual fuel containerships at New Times Shipbuilding
MSC has now changed this order from 14 vessels to 20 ships with two different sizes, the source said.
These vessels would feature MAN ME-GI propulsion and type B LNG tanks.
The price tag of the order was not revealed.
MSC, which operates a fleet of about 700 vessels, earlier this year welcomed its first LNG-powered containership.
China’s Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in Jiangsu built the 14,280-teu MSC Washington for the firm.
MSC is working on a huge fleet of LNG-powered vessels in order to slash emissions and comply with more stringent IMO rules, but the company rarely officially confirms its charters or newbuild orders.