The world’s largest container ship, the 23,756 teu MSC Gülsün, has completed its maiden voyage from the north of China to Europe.
The ship was built at the Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard in South Korea. It is the first of a new class of 23,000+ teu vessels to be added in 2019-2020 to the global shipping network of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.
It is 400 metres long and more than 60 metres wide. MSC has ordered a total of 11 of this class of ship saying bigger ships generally emit less CO2 per container carried.
The bow shape has been designed to reduce the hull’s water resistance, while other design innovations target reduced wind resistance.
To comply with an upcoming marine fuel regulation in 2020, the ship is equipped with a UN IMO-approved hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system and has the option of switching to low-Sulphur fuel, or to be adapted for liquefied natural gas in the future.
The vessel is equipped with more than 2,000 refrigerated containers, boosting the trade of food, drink, pharmaceutical and other chilled and frozen items between Asia and Europe.
SHI will deliver six of the new class of ships, while Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is constructing the other five, also in South Korea.
