MSC behind Baker’s dozen ordered at CSSC yards

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) and Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) have won orders for thirteen 16,000TEU dual-fuel container ships, their parent group China State Shipbuilding Corporation announced on 2 April.

Describing the commission as CSSC’s largest ever for container ships, the world’s largest shipbuilding conglomerate said that the vessels will have a total contract value exceeding CNY10 billion (US$1.52 billion).

The client was described as a major liner operator, although MSC has confirmed the order of a series of neo-Panamax ships with CSSC, is behind the order.

DSIC will build seven ships and GSI will construct the other six vessels. The ships, each with 366m length and a 51m width, will be installed with main engines under CSSC’s proprietary WinGD brand, in addition scrubbers and LNG bunker tanks will be installed.

The recent rebound in container freight rates brought record earnings to liner operators, and tight market capacity is encouraging owners to commission newbuildings.

CSSC said, “To seize opportunities, CSSC implemented centralised and precision marketing. This order has enhanced CSSC’s market position and branding in the field of large container ships and strengthened CSSC’s relationship with major liner operators.”

Martina Li
Asian Correspondent