Mediterranean Shipping Co could overtake Maersk Line to become the world’s largest container shipping line within the next few years, according to industry analysts.
Switzerland-based MSC has been linked in recent weeks to two separate orders for three 19,000 teu vessels; one from the Monaco-based Scorpio Group and the other from China’s Bank of Communications.
MSC has 11 firm contracts for vessels of 16,000 teu or larger, and Alphaliner suggests that the carrier’s orderbook could rise to as much as 610,000 teu.
Mediterranean Shipping Co could overtake Maersk Line to become the world’s largest container shipping line within the next few years, according to industry analysts.
Switzerland-based MSC has been linked in recent weeks to two separate orders for three 19,000 teu vessels; one from the Monaco-based Scorpio Group and the other from China’s Bank of Communications.
MSC has 11 firm contracts for vessels of 16,000 teu or larger, and Alphaliner suggests that the carrier’s orderbook could rise to as much as 610,000 teu.
These orders, plus those for 35 additional wide-beam neo-panamax newbuildings of 8,800 teu-9,400 teu to be delivered in 2015 and 2016, would raise MSC’s operating capacity from 2.5m teu to 3m teu by the end of 2016.
As a result, MSC would surpass the projected 2.8m teu capacity operated by Maersk’s fleet.
The gap could widen further, if MSC exercises its options for additional newbuildings.
In contrast to MSC and its busy orderbook, Maersk has been relatively quiet of late. Its orderbook stands at just 182,000 teu and it does not expect to add capacity before 2017.
The carrier’s last major vessel order coincided with its Triple-E class vessels placed back in February 2011.
However, if MSC and Maersk secure approval, as expected, from the US Federal Maritime Commission for their vessel-sharing agreement, known as 2M, and if MSC’s vessel orders go without a hitch, the pair will have a massive lead over their competitors in the race to deploy ultra-large containerships, says Alphaliner.
Indeed, the two shipping lines will operate 47 ships of 15,500 teu-19,200 teu by the end of 2016.
The new Ocean Three alliance confirmed earlier this week, comprising CMA CGM, China Shipping and United Arab Shipping Co, will have only 17 vessels of this size.
The G6 and CKYHE carriers will have none, as their largest vessels have capacity of just 14,000 teu.
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