The Shanghai Research and Design Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has received in-principle approval for the construction of a dual-fuel container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a capacity of 27,500 TEU. This is 3,000 TEUs larger than the largest existing ships owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which have a capacity of 24,346 TEUs.
The growth of container ship capacity has been a trend in recent decades, with container ships nearly quadrupling in size. This allows them to carry more cargo, making them more efficient for the world’s largest trade routes.
However, in recent years, global carriers have been favoring ships with a capacity of around 16,000 TEUs. They are considered more flexible and able to operate on a variety of trade routes, not just the Asia-Europe route where the largest container ships currently operate.