Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the Geneva-based liner operator, has signed a long-term charter with Singapore-based shipowner Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) for 11 dual-fuel ultra large container ships (ULCS), according to media reports.
The charter covers a series of 15,300-teu container vessels ordered from Korean shipyards, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Samho by EPS in 2020, according to media reports.
The contract is significant not just for its size, but also as it represents the first charter by MSC for LNG-fuelled boxships. MSC was the last of the leading liner operators to charter LNG-fuelled tonnage.
The order follows a number of high profile orders for LNG-fuelled boxships in recent weeks. On 30 April, CMA CGM placed an order for 6 x 15,000-teu boxships and 6 x 13,00-teu boxships on 30 April with China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), along with 10 x 5,500-teu container feeder vessels.
EPS has been highly active in agreeing long-term contracts with charterers with market leading positions in recent weeks. In April, it agreed a long-term charter with one of the largest charterers in the bulk minerals market, Rio Tinto, for 3+3 DF Newcastlemaxes.
