A new titan has emerged on the high seas. In an unprecedented milestone in maritime history, the world’s largest container vessel, the MSC Tessa, has been delivered by its Chinese shipbuilders. This colossal ship, constructed by China’s Hudong Zhonghua shipyard, a key player in the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, has established a new standard for global shipping.
The MSC Tessa is not merely the world’s largest ship; it is also the first of its kind to breach the 24,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) mark. This groundbreaking vessel flaunts an additional 112 slots, significantly boosting its container capacity. This megaship is an awe-inspiring 400 metres in length, outstripping a typical aircraft carrier by an impressive 200 feet. Perhaps its most astonishing feature is its ability to stack containers up to 25 layers high, maximizing space usage like never before.
Yet, it’s not just about size and capacity. The design of the MSC Tessa also reflects a thoughtful commitment to sustainability. The ship incorporates cutting-edge ‘air lubrication technology’, which reduces both its energy consumption and carbon emissions by up to 4%. This is a huge stride towards environmentally friendly shipping and sets a new standard for vessels worldwide.
The Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), now proudly boasts 665 ships with a staggering total capacity of 4,352,617 TEU. Moreover, the company is expecting an additional 114 ships, promising an estimated total capacity of around 1.5 million TEU. The arrival of the MSC Tessa is not just a singular achievement, but a harbinger of a fleet of mega vessels set to revolutionize the shipping industry.
The MSC Tessa will serve major ports in Northern Europe, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Felixstowe, with a return trip call at Tanger before heading to Singapore.
Looking towards the future, MSC is proactively exploring sustainable fuel options. Despite its current fleet running on conventional fuel, the shipping giant has already initiated tests with biofuels and is planning to increase their usage. The company is also considering LNG dual-fuel vessels and has recently ordered its first ammonia-ready designs, which are currently under construction in China.
The delivery of the MSC Tessa marks a pivotal moment in global logistics and ushers in a new era of efficiency, capacity, and sustainability. With this ship, MSC doesn’t just navigate the world’s oceans; it charts a new course for the future of maritime transport.
