Zhoushan Changhong International has undocked the seventh vessel in a series of 10,300-teu LNG dual-fuel container ships being built for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), with hull CHB2043 now moving into the dockside outfitting and underwater commissioning stage.

The undocking took place on 24 July at Dock No. 1 at the Changhong International yard in Zhoushan, China. A ceremony was held at the dock, at which MSC site manager Dong Qi, Lloyd’s Register (LR) representative Zhang Tianchi, and Liu Ming, assistant general manager of Changhong International Dinghai Shipbuilding, signed a confirmation document recognising the project’s construction quality, safety management, and schedule progress.

Also present were Qiu Zhaozhou, LR Zhoushan regional manager; Seoung-Hwan Goh, project manager; Fu Dafei, assistant general manager of Changhong International; and members of the shipowner’s on-site office and project team.

According to Changhong International, the dock construction phase was carried out against challenging weather conditions this summer, including prolonged high temperatures, frequent rainfall, and typhoon activity. The shipbuilder said the project team managed resource allocation around the critical path and coordinated the sequencing of segment assembly, final assembly, and system installation to minimise disruption to the construction schedule.

The series was jointly developed by CIMC ORIC and Changhong International. Each vessel measures 299.95 metres in length overall and 45.6 metres in beam, with a design speed of 20 knots. The ships are equipped with LNG dual-fuel main engines and generators, and also incorporate provisions for future alternative fuels, with ammonia- and methanol-ready design features.