DNV GL Classes Mega-Ship MSC Oscar

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday February 23, 2015

Classification society DNV GL has announced that it will class the MSC Oscar, currently the world's largest containership.

The 19,224 TEU vessel owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company's (MSC) began operations early this year on a new East-West service.

In addition to setting a new capacity-size benchmark for containerships, the MSC Oscar also has features that add to its overall energy efficiency.

Those include an engine that was said to be able to automatically control fuel consumption based on both speed and weather conditions, as well as a broad optimal speed range for operational flexibility.

"DNV GL is proud to have been a part of MSC's growth into a world leader in container shipping," said Jan-Olaf Probst, global ship type director at DNV GL – Maritime.

"MSC's decision to construct MSC Oscar and its upcoming newbuildings according to the DNV GL regulations reflects a clear focus for quality, maximum efficiency and an awareness of the need for a more sustainable industry." 

The MSC Oscar is also expected to be joined by sister-ship MSC Oliver in April later this year.

"MSC has 18 more vessels of over 19,000TEU on order. These deliveries could move MSC into the position of being the largest container shipping line in the world," noted DNV GL.

Earlier this month it was reported that the ever increasing size of box ships is becoming a concern for insurers, with Ship & Bunker's Inside Opinion experts having previous predicted that increasing insurance costs for the ever-larger box ships could ultimately be the deciding factor that caps containership size.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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