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Shipbuilding sources told LNG Prime on Tuesday that MSC and Hengly Heavy signed a shipbuilding agreement for six LNG dual-fuel vessels with a capacity of 22,000 teu.
No further information has been revealed.
If confirmed, Hengli Heavy will in total build 26 LNG dual-fuel vessels for MSC.
Hengli Heavy and Gianluigi Aponte-led MSC signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Geneva in August last year.
The two firms agreed to collaborate in a wide range of areas, including shipbuilding, engine manufacturing, ship repair, and vessel retrofitting.
MSC first booked ten LNG dual-fuel vessels with a capacity of 21,000 teu at the Chinese yard.
The shipping giant then ordered 10 more LNG dual-fuel vessels with a capacity of 24,000 teu.
VesselsValue data show that the vessels with a capacity of 21,000 teu are scheduled for delivery starting in 2026. They each cost $215 million.
Moreover, the larger vessels, each worth $230 million, are scheduled to be delivered to MSC starting in 2028.
According to Alphaliner, MSC is the world’s largest liner with 6,518,888 teu and a 20.4 percent share.
The shipping giant is investing heavily in LNG dual-fuel vessels.
DNV’s most recent data shows that 690 LNG-powered ships are in operation and 644 LNG-fueled vessels are on order.
Moreover, 166 LNG-powered containerships are in operation, and 338 LNG-powered containerships are on order.
These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers.