Part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), Dalian Shipbuilding (DSIC), has begun the construction of the 10th 16,000 TEU boxship for MSC.
The vessel, which will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), is roughly 366 metres long and 51 metres wide.
The boxship has a container capacity of 16,200 TEU and it has been designed with several environmental and cost-effective technologies – including an air lubrication system, shaft generator, and energy-saving guide wheel in front of the propeller.
These installed technologies are expected to help the company reach the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) emission reduction targets and comply with the energy efficiency design index (EEDI).
Dalian has reported that its EEDI is more than 65 per cent lower than baseline.
The vessel will be equipped with a B type LNG fuel tank that Dalian Shipbuilding independently developed and constructed. The unit’s engine will be provided by Swiss maritime propulsion company WinGD.
READ: CMA CGM unveils latest LNG-powered vessel
A push towards LNG for ships has been seen all throughout the industry.
Just over a month ago, Shell Western LNG B.V (Shell) and Hapag-Lloyd signed a multi-year agreement to supply LNG to Hapag-Lloyd’s ultra-large container vessels.
This announcement comes less than a month after Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding delivered the 24,116 TEU MSC Tessa, the world’s largest containership.
