According to maritime media Splash247, the world's largest shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MS), has had another busy period in the second-hand ship market, highlighting its ongoing determination to expand its fleet.

It is understood that the Geneva-based liner giant purchased at least eight container ships in December alone, with market sources suggesting that there could be even more deals yet to surface. Alphaliner, an international shipping consultancy, stated that was aware of some additional transactions that have not yet been fully confirmed.

One of the acquisitions included a 14,700 TEU new-build resale from BAL Container Line for a price of around $170 million. The ship is under construction at China's Jiangnan Shipbuilding and is expected to be delivered the fourth quarter of 2026. This marks the third resale vessel purchased from BAL by MSC, following two similar transactions in July 2024 Alphaliner believes that a fourth vessel from the same series could also eventually end up with MSC, although this has not been confirmed.

MSC was also very active the classic Panamax segment, acquiring five vessels of this type. This includes the 5,028 TEU “Antwerp Bridge” from Sinokor, its ships “Beijing Bridge” and “Grace Bridge” of 4,738 TEU, and the 2,754 TEU “Port Klangager”. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2005, the “Antwerp Bridge” was originally delivered to the German NOO Reederei H. company and named “Westerbrook” at the time.

Further transactions included the purchase of the 4,256 TEU “Lisa” from XT, supported by Idan Ofer, a 4,253 TEU similar-sized “Ts Ningbo” from TS Lines, and the 2,82 TEU “As Clementina” from MPC Container Ships.

MSC's acquisition spree comes as its fleet size has seen another year of strong growth.phaliner data shows that MSC added 831,400 TEU of new capacity in 2025, representing a 39% share of total growth among the world's 12 largest container shipping companies. The company's fleet size grew by 11.7% on a yearly basis, widening gap with the second-placed Maersk to about 2.5 million TEU, compared to 1.9 million TEU one year earlier.

While new deliveries remained the main driver of growth – MSC took delivery of 54 new vessels, adding nearly 700,000 TEU of new capacity – the purchases of second-hand ships have played a crucial supporting role in helping the group, controlled by the Aponte family, maintain its expansion momentum