Scorpio to build world’s biggest container ships for MSC

Bulk and tanker ship owner, Scorpio Group, is to enter the container ship market, building the largest ever container ships, with an almost 20,000 teu capacity at US$153m each, for Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Industry sources told freight and commodity derivatives broker, Freight Investor Services, that Scorpio Group has booked shipyard slots to build three 19,200 teu ships with Samsung Heavy Industries.

MSC has agreed to take the ships on charter for up to 15 years although FIS noted that the agreement is not yet effective and the exact size and number of vessels may be increased.