Colossal 24K TEU MSC Mette christened in France

MSC Mette, a new 24,116 TEU containership owned by Swiss shipping major MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, has been christened in Fos-sur-Mer in France.

As revealed in MSC’s social media post, the new boxship was named on 23 October. The vessel was delivered to the shipowner by Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in July this year.

According to the shipbuilder, the containership incorporates a range of innovative features that reduce its environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency including a small bulbous bow, large diameter propellers, and energy-saving ducts.

Furthermore, the giant vessel is fitted with an air lubrication system that effectively minimizes drag on the hull. The air lubrication system creates a layer of bubbles between the ship’s hull and the surrounding water, significantly reducing friction and hydrodynamic resistance. Experts estimate that this technology will provide energy savings of three to four percent, leading to a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions.

Last month, MSC welcomed another 24,116 TEU ultra-large container ship MSC Claude Girardet from Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. The ultra-large container vessel, designed in-house with complete intellectual property rights, is registered under the DNV classification society. The ship incorporates numerous solutions and technologies that make the ship environmentally friendly, highly energy and fuel-efficient.