China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), recently delivered the first of eight 16,000 TEU dual-fuel containerships to Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The ship, named MSC Maria Cristina, is equipped with a 13,000 cbm type B LNG fuel tank, which is the largest of its kind in the world. This tank is made of 9% nickel steel, a technology developed by DSIC that is crucial for meeting global emission standards.
The vessel’s design focuses on safety, economy, and environmental responsibility. To reduce emissions, the main engine utilizes green technologies such as the iCER-Diesel system and an exhaust gas economizer. The iCER system, developed by Swiss company WinGD, improves emissions reduction by recirculating part of the exhaust fumes back into the engine for more efficient combustion and lower pollution levels.
MSC Maria Cristina’s energy efficiency design index (EEDI) is 65.5% lower than the baseline, thanks to optimization processes and energy-saving measures like the pre-propeller power-saving device. This ship is part of MSC’s fleet renewal efforts, with plans to have up to 18 new LNG-powered boxships. The company has ordered six 16,000 TEU containerships from CSSC’s Tianjin Shipbuilding, showcasing a commitment to decarbonization and sustainability in maritime transportation.