August 10, 2023. The world’s largest container shipping firm MSC has returned to Chinese shipbuilder Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard with an order for an additional ten liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containerships.
These 10,000-TEU dual-fuel container ships have been developed and designed independently by CIMC’s subsidiary CIMC Ocean Engineering Design and Research Institute (CIMC ORIC).
The shipyard said that this vessel type is also the largest container ship that can enter the Black Sea through the Turkish Strait.
Stretching across a length of 299.95 meters and boasting a ship width spanning 45.6 meters, this ship design showcases a molded depth of 25.0 meters and a design draft reaching 12.5 meters, while its structural draft extends to 17.5 meters.
Accompanied by a commendable design speed clocked at 20 knots, it houses the largest C-type LNG fuel storage tank within its classification. The vessel design enables a cruising range, encompassing both LNG and fuel modes, to elegantly meet the singular round-trip requisites of the China-Europe as well as China-US routes.
Their Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) exceeds the benchmarks set by IMO’s Phase III emissions standards, showcasing a substantial 50% reduction. The Container Intensity Indicator (CII) remains well within optimal operational ranges until 2040.
A key aspect of the ships’ design is the incorporation of a dual-fuel main engine and generator, optimized for LNG utilization, and adaptable configuration that also aligns with the potential for the use of ammonia and methanol as marine fuel.
The delivery timeline for these ships is set between the latter part of 2026 and 2027.
