Many of the world's largest liner companies have begun increasing ship sizes to reduce emissions per container.
Mediterranean Shipping Co. is the latest carrier to hire shipyards to add space to existing ships. This is the first of six sister ships expected to undergo expansion. Alphaliner reported that the ship's production capacity had increased from 16,552 TEU to approximately 18,500 TEU after a 75-day stay at the Guangzhou Wenchong shipyard in southern China.
The shipping company decided to install so-called Mickey Mouse ears on the outer rows of the ship and to increase the height of the ship's deckhouse and funnels. In addition, a new bulb and a scrubber were installed.
Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen and Hapag-Lloyd are other carriers that have recently upsized their existing vessels.
In related liner modification news released by Alphaliner, Maersk has signed a contract with another Chinese shipyard to perform engine modifications on six ships built in 2009. Working with Wärtsilä, Maersk’s engine derating solution ensures that high-power box-type shipowner engines designed for the high service speeds of past decades can be converted to smaller engines more suitable for today’s slow-speed sailing environment.
Maersk also signed a contract with Xinya Shipbuilding to carry out the world's first methanol engine modification.
