Changhong International has commenced construction of a 21,700-TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) at its Daishan Base facility in Zhoushan, China.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the vessel, designated CHB2052, took place on 18 August at the processing workshop at Changhong’s Daishan Base.

Attendees at the ceremony included MSC on-site supervision project manager Jung Ji-hun, DNV project manager KB Kim, Changhong Dinghai Shipbuilding’s deputy general manager and chief engineer Wang Jiazheng, and Daishan Changhong Shipbuilding’s general manager Geng Hongwei.

The vessel measures 366 metres in length, with a moulded depth of 33.2 metres and a breadth of 61.3 metres. It has a design speed of 19 knots and is classed by DNV. According to Changhong International, the ship is the largest container ship currently under construction in Zhejiang Province.

The vessel was jointly developed and designed by Changhong International and CIMC ORIC.

"The successful batch acceptance and commencement of construction of this type of vessel not only demonstrates Changhong International's continuous accumulation of technical capabilities and project management experience in the construction of large and ultra-large container ships, but will also further enhance the company's construction strength in the field of ultra-large container ships and its core competitiveness in the high-end market," Changhong International said.