Scorpio Group, Monaco-based owner of tankers and bulk carriers, has secured charter agreements for its three 19,200 teu containerships to be built by Samsung Heavy Industries, according to sources close to the matter.
The newbuilds, to be delivered in 2016, are said to have been hired by Mediterranean Shipping Co on a 15-year bareboat charter.
The vessels have a price tag of USD 153 million each and are at the very top in terms of capacity, as they are referred to as largest boxships ever ordered.
The deal is not final, as orders have not yet taken effect, and may include options for three more ships.
Scorpio’s plans on entering container market by purchasing Triple-E container vessels were leaked in July, when it was announced that up to five of these units would be ordered with South Korean Samsung Heavy.
Scorpio Group’s tanker and bulker divisions, have over a hundred more units on order in total, 43 more tankers and 74 bulk carriers.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, August 13, 2014