Pratik Bijlani –
The MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company continues its aggressive expansion strategy with the acquisition of two more secondhand container vessels from the German market. The Geneva-based liner giant, led by Gianluigi Aponte, has added the 1,440-TEU Cape Flint (built in 2006) and the 2,526-TEU Jan Ritscher (built in 1999) to its growing fleet, bringing the total number of secondhand ships acquired in the past four years to an impressive 383 units.
The recent purchases reinforce MSC’s position as the leading global liner operator, with a fleet now comprising 852 ships, totaling over 6 million TEUs and accounting for nearly 20% of the global market share. According to Alphaliner, MSC’s market share is projected to rival that of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd combined with the launch of the Gemini Cooperation early next year. The company’s orderbook includes approximately 130 ships, which could add 1.8 million TEUs to its fleet in the coming years.
The acquisitions are part of MSC’s broader strategy to prepare for the end of its 2M alliance with Maersk in late 2025. Amid weak demand on the Asia-Europe and transpacific trades, MSC is positioning itself to capitalize on future opportunities. However, the expansion has come with challenges, including significant drops in the asset value of its secondhand vessels due to lower charter rates. For example, the 2005-built MSC Felixstowe, purchased in 2022, has seen its value drop from an estimated $65 million to just $17.9 million.
Despite these fluctuations, MSC’s strategic acquisitions have allowed the company to maintain its competitive edge. As the market evolves, MSC remains focused on growing its fleet and strengthening its position as the world’s largest container shipping company.
Marex Media