DNV GL to Class MSC Oscar

The ship and offshore classification society DNV GL will class the world’s largest container ship, the 19,924 TEU MSC Oscar.

Immediately after being delivered by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in Geoje, South Korea in January, the Mediterranean Shipping Company put this giant into rotation on its this East-West service.

The vessel’s construction took only eleven months to be completed from steel cutting to delivery, which included extensive commissioning and sea trials. MSC Oscar is the first of the series of six ultra large container ships (ULCS) of Olympic Series. The remaining sister vessels of the series are expected to be completed by November 2015.

Today, MSC has 18 more vessels of over 19,000 TEUs on order. These deliveries could move MSC into the position of being the largest container shipping line in the world. The next of these vessels, MSC Oliver, also with DNV GL class, is expected for delivery in April.

‘Today we are proud to own the largest container vessel on the seas, the MSC Oscar, which adds to our solid reputation as a leading ocean carrier. She will soon be joined by sister ship MSC Oliver, built to the same demanding class regulations, which marks yet another milestone in our ongoing relationship with DNV GL,” said Diego Aponte, MSC President and CEO.

In less than twenty years the loading capacity of container vessels has more than tripled – with the length of the biggest vessels jumping from just over 300 to 400m during that time. MSC Oscar measures in at 395.4m long and 59m wide with a draft of 16m.

Initially specified at 18,000 TEUs, MSC Oscar was expanded during the building phase to add an extra tier above decks. The vessel is able to carry dangerous goods in holds, and approximately 1,800 reefer containers.