The world's largest container carrier Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has secured an additional 20 ultra‑large LNG dual‑fuel container ships from two Chinese shipyards, lifting its total new orders at Chinese yards to 44 vessels worth nearly USD 8.4 billion (RMB 56.47 billion) in 2026, further strengthening its global market leadership.
Per TradeWinds, MSC exercised option contracts at Hengli Heavy Industries, adding ten 22,000‑TEU LNG dual‑fuel container ships on top of the 12‑vessel firm order placed in June. Signed on July 30 according to Clarksons, all 22 vessels will be delivered in 2029.
Meanwhile, MSC signed a 5+5 deal for 21,700‑TEU LNG dual‑fuel container ships with Zhoushan Changhong International Shipbuilding. Not yet logged in Clarksons database, the first two firm units are due late‑2028 and the rest in 2029. Industry sources explain MSC prefers the 22,000‑TEU design over 24,000‑TEU ships due to port‑size constraints and better routing flexibility.
Valued at USD 210‑220 million each, the latest 20‑ship package totals around USD 4.4 billion (RMB 29.58 billion). Hengli Heavy Industries and Zhoushan Changhong International have become MSC’s key partners for ultra‑large container ships; MSC will quickly lock in berth slots whenever capacity opens up.
Clarksons data shows MSC has 148 container ships under construction, all built in China. Excluding the newly‑confirmed five 21,700‑TEU units, Hengli holds 50 on‑order vessels and Changhong International 46. Driven by MSC’s heavy ordering, the two shipyards now take the top two positions globally for container‑ship order backlogs.
MSC has been aggressively expanding its fleet this year. Earlier newbuild awards include 2+2 ×5,000‑TEU ships at Yangzhou Guoyu and eight ×11,500‑TEU dual‑fuel vessels at Jinglu Shipbuilding.
As of April 2026, MSC’s operating fleet exceeded 1,000 vessels. Alphaliner records its total capacity at 1,010 vessels /7.39 million TEU with a 21.5% market share, leading Maersk’s 4.75 million TEU. Its 166‑strong newbuilding orderbook totalling 2.94 million TEU also ranks world‑first, representing 39.7% of its existing fleet. Its on‑order tonnage alone surpasses Hapag‑Lloyd’s entire operating fleet.
Nearly half of global 17,000+ TEU ultra‑large container‑ship orderbook belongs to MSC, far ahead of Maersk (24) and CMA CGM (54).
Market analysts attribute the newbuilding boom largely to prolonged Red Sea disruptions. Sustained Cape of Good Hope diversions make large container ships favourable for east‑west trade efficiency. Tight 2028‑2029 shipyard slots and intense competition from tanker newbuilds also push carriers to book capacity early to avoid future shortages.
