The total number of secondhand boxships Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has added to its fleet since embarking on an unprecedented buying spree in August 2020, largely in lieu of chartering tonnage, has now reached what Alphaliner describes as a “mind-blowing” 461. 

The world’s largest containerline, which recently passed the 7m teu mark, has added three more ageing vessels to its giant fleet. 

The 3,651 teu Atlantica Pioneer has been purchased from Oslo-based Atlantica Shipping for a price said to be in excess of $45m. This boxship disposal means the Norwegian owner no longer owns any container vessels. 

Meanwhile, the 3,799 teu Irenes Resolve was purchased from Tsakos Shipping & Trading of Greece for $23m, with MSC also picking up the Marlow-controlled 3,534 teu Rio Kobe for $32m. 

As well as its huge secondhand spree, MSC has kept shipyards in Asia very busy in the 2020s. Its record orderbook today stands at 123 vessels, totalling in excess of 2.1m teu, according to data from Alphaliner.