MSC’s LNG-powered containership duo launched in China

ZHEJIANG : China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard has launched MSC’s LNG dual-fuel containerships. According to a statement by the shipbuilder, MSC Leila and MSC Insa were floated out at the same time on November 29.

These are MSC’s first two LNG dual-fuel container vessels with a capacity of 11,500 teu, Zhoushan Changhong said. The DNV-classed vessels are 335 meters and 45.6 meters wide, with a design speed of 20 knots.

Zhoushan Changhong said that the vessels will feature the largest type C LNG fuel storage tank in its class, allowing them to complete a single round trip on China-Europe or China-US routes.

CIMC ORIC, a unit of China International Marine Containers (CIMC), designed these new containerships. CIMC is a shareholder in Zhoushan Changhong via its leasing unit.

MSC currently has 32 LNG dual-fuel vessels on order at Zhoushan Changhong.

The Switzerland-based shipping giant first ordered ten LNG dual-fuel 11,500-teu vessels from the shipbuilder and, after that, added ten LNG dual-fuel 11,300-teu vessels.

The shipbuilder will deliver the first batch of the vessels in 2025 and 2026 and the other ten ships during the second half of 2026 and 2027.

Most recently, MSC booked 12 LNG dual-fuel vessels at Zhoushan Changhong.

These containerships are the largest in this series and will have a capacity of 19,000 teu.