Norwegian container tonnage provider MPC Container Ships takes delivery of first methanol dual-fuel containership

Norwegian container tonnage provider MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has taken delivery of the first of two methanol dual-fuel 1,279 TEU containerships.

The newbuilding, NCL Vestland, was built at the Chinese shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering.

The 18,800 dwt ship was ordered by MPCC back in 2022 as part of an en-block transaction worth $39 million per unit, according to data provided by VesselsValue.

The Handy boxship is capable of burning green methanol, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 95%, as per the company.

“This innovative vessel embarks on a 15-year charter to North Sea Container Line, ensuring reliable and efficient service along the beautiful and diversified Norwegian coastline. It is a huge leap towards a sustainable future, and we look forward to welcoming her in Europe for an official name giving ceremony soon,” MPCC shared on LinkedIn.

NCL NordLand, a sister vessel of NCL Vestland, is expected to be completed in February this year.

Specifically, the two vessels are majority owned by MPCC (90.1%) together with Topeka MPC Maritime AS (9.9%), a joint venture between Topeka Holding AS, a zero-emission shipping company owned by Wilhelmsen Group, and MPC Capital AG.

The shipbuilding project received NOK 13.7 million ($1.21 million) by the Norwegian government enterprise Enova and NOK 60 million from the NOx fund, the Norwegian business sector’s fund to reduce emissions.

In related news, MPCC received in late July 2024 the final 5,500 TEU methanol-ready boxship from the South Korean yard HJ Shipbuilding & Construction. The vessel, named Colorado, entered a seven-year charter with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services.