On January 8th, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd., named and delivered the 16,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel powered container ship "MSC CARMELA" to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
The vessel has a total length of 366 meters, a width of 51 meters, a molded depth of 30.2 meters, a design draught of 14.5 meters, and a structural draught of 17 meters. It can carry 16,044 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 1,800 refrigerated containers. The ship is equipped with advanced fire-fighting systems and single-person bridge operation capabilities, ensuring optimal environmental performance, energy efficiency, safety, and operational economy. Powered by dual-fuel main engines, generators, and boilers, the vessel features a forward and aft island configuration, making it suitable for unrestricted navigation areas and meeting the latest regulatory requirements and emission standards.
During the construction process, the project team systematically optimized work procedures, leveraging the experience gained from the leading ship vessel to enhance the completeness at launch. This optimization significantly reduced the LNG refueling time compared to the initial vessel. Notably, the team completed all inspection items for the inaugural "fuel + gas" dual-fuel sea trials in just 6 days.