Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping line, is reportedly planning another major fleet expansion with market sources indicating that the carrier is considering an order for up to 20 LNG dual-fuel ultra-large containerships of around 20,000 TEU at China’s Hengli Heavy Industry.
According to industry sources, the vessels are expected to be delivered from the first half of 2029. MSC has not officially confirmed the reported order, and the information remains market speculation.
The reported move comes shortly after MSC achieved the landmark milestone of operating a fleet of more than 1,000 vessels. Marking the occasion, MSC Chief Executive Officer Soren Toft described the achievement as the outcome of over five decades of sustained investment and growth since the company was founded in 1970 by Gianluigi Aponte.
Toft also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to long-term investments, stating that MSC will continue investing with confidence in new vessels, port terminals and logistics infrastructure despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
With an operated fleet capacity exceeding 7.3 million TEUs, MSC continues to strengthen its position as the world’s largest container carrier, holding the highest market share in the global liner shipping industry.
If the reported Hengli Heavy Industry order materialises, MSC’s newbuilding programme at the Chinese shipyard could approach nearly 50 ultra-large container vessels. The company has previously been linked to multiple orders at Hengli for LNG dual-fuel containerships in the 21,000 TEU, 22,000 TEU and 24,000 TEU capacity segments.
Industry observers note that MSC’s investment strategy extends beyond fleet expansion. The carrier has been steadily building an integrated global logistics network by combining mega containerships for major east-west trade lanes with regional feeder vessels, port terminals and inland logistics assets. This approach is aimed at enhancing network flexibility, operational resilience and greater control over the end-to-end supply chain.
For Hengli Heavy Industry, another large-scale MSC order would further reinforce its emergence as one of China’s fastest-growing private shipbuilders in the global container ship construction market.
