Mediterranean Shipping Company’s strategic move to heavily convert available tonnage into owned capacity is reshaping the secondhand container market, pushing prices higher and improving its operational control amidst ongoing supply-demand pressures.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has been quietly converting available tonnage into owned capacity, accelerating an acquisition strategy that industry observers say is reshaping the second-hand containership market. According to market commentary, MSC’s purchases have ranged across vessel sizes and ages, and the company has prioritised ships that can be deployed immediately rather than waiting for newbuild deliveries. (Sources: Kuehne+Nagel, Lloyd’s List)
The dynamics behind the flurry of purchases are straightforward: owners, enjoying strong charter revenues, have limited incentive to sell, while operators seeking immediate capacity face a thin pool of available vessels. Industry reports note that sustained high charter levels and delayed scrapping have kept vintage ships trading at firm values, obliging buyers to pay premiums for tonnage that can start earning at once (Sources: Maritime Analytica, Lloyd’s List).
MSC’s activity is sizable by any measure. Data compiled by logistics and shipping publications indicates the group acquired dozens of secondhand boxships in recent years, including more than 30 since January 2025 and some 70 vessels in 2024, representing a large share of annual secondhand sales. Over a multi-year span, MSC’s inward purchases are reported to have added well over a million TEU to its owned fleet, materially altering its mix of owned versus chartered tonnage. (Sources: Kuehne+Nagel, Lloyd’s List, Ship & Bunker)
The choice to favour existing ships reflects tactical responses to network needs created by alliance shifts and route disruptions. According to industry analysis, some acquisitions filled gaps after the end of major liner agreements and were driven by capacity shortfalls caused by diversions around the Red Sea, prompting liner operators to secure immediate replacements rather than wait for yard slots. (Sources: Kuehne+Nagel, Lloyd’s List, Lloyd’s List)
Market effects have been visible: transaction prices for secondhand containerships climbed markedly during the boom, with some sales reflecting substantial uplifts compared with prices earlier in the cycle. Valuation uplifts of up to around 30% were reported in 2024 as competition for available units intensified, giving sellers negotiating leverage and reshaping owners’ disposition calculus. (Sources: Lloyd’s List, Lloyd’s List)
MSC’s accumulated fleet now sits among the largest in the sector, with capacity milestones reported by trade outlets. The company’s shift from reliance on chartered tonnage toward a heavier owned fleet has been presented internally as a means of securing durable capacity and operational control amid an unpredictable market. Industry commentators caution that while the company’s buying spree has been decisive so far, broader supply-and-demand balances, ageing fleet considerations and route economics will determine whether the strategy remains advantageous long term. (Sources: Maritime Executive, Ship & Bunker, Lloyd’s List)
Rumour and narrative have amplified the story, but analysts say the most consequential signal is empirical: ships changing hands and entering service now. According to analysts cited in trade coverage, the quiet accumulation of secondhand tonnage, rather than high-profile orders or press statements, is what has materially tightened the market and driven price momentum. (Sources: Maritime Analytica, Lloyd’s List)
Source Reference Map
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.maritimeanalytica.com/p/is-msc-buying-containerships-or-buying – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://mykn.kuehne-nagel.com/news/article/msc-snaps-up-30-of-all-secondhand-boxships-in-31-Jan-2025 – In 2024, MSC acquired 70 secondhand containerships with a combined capacity of 330,000 TEU, representing nearly 30% of all boxships sold that year. This acquisition spree included vessels ranging from 1,300 TEU to 14,700 TEU, primarily sourced from tonnage providers. Notably, MSC purchased three 5,652 TEU ‘U-type’ ships from Evergreen, adding to two similar vessels acquired in 2023. This strategy aims to fill service network gaps following the end of the ‘2M’ alliance with Maersk. The robust market in 2024 saw ship values increase, with some vessels changing hands at twice the price compared to the beginning of the year.
- https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1153808/MSC-snaps-up-more-than-30-secondhand-boxships-since-January – Since January 2025, MSC has purchased 33 secondhand boxships, including a post-panamax vessel from Greek shipowner Euroseas and three regional feeders from other Greek shipowners. This activity underscores MSC’s aggressive expansion strategy in the secondhand market, contributing to the company’s significant growth in fleet capacity. The scarcity of available vessels has led to increased prices, with sellers achieving desired prices due to heightened demand for secondhand tonnage following Red Sea diversions.
- https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1151615/MSC-boosts-fleet-with-more-secondhand-containerships – Between May 2023 and November 2024, MSC added over 100 secondhand vessels to its fleet, including five ships in a two-week period in November 2024. Notable acquisitions include the 8,400 TEU Northern Jaguar from NSH Northern Shipping and the 23-year-old panamax Hongkong Bridge from Bocomm International Ship Lease. These purchases reflect MSC’s strategy to reduce reliance on chartered tonnage and expand its owned fleet, enhancing its position in the global shipping market.
- https://shipandbunker.com/news/world/378775-msc-adds-400-second-hand-boxships-to-fleet-in-four-years – Over four years, MSC has added over 400 second-hand boxships to its fleet, including recent acquisitions like the Northern Jaguar, Hongkong Bridge, BF Tiger, Najade, Hannah, Lucie, Margarete Schulte, and Ludwig Schilte. This expansion has increased MSC’s capacity by 1.66 million TEU, with an average vessel age of 20 years. The company’s rapid growth has positioned it as a leader in the global container shipping industry, surpassing competitors in fleet size and capacity.
- https://maritime-executive.com/article/msc-tops-six-million-teu-as-containership-market-remains-red-hot – As of July 2024, MSC’s fleet capacity exceeded six million TEU, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth. This achievement is attributed to strategic acquisitions of secondhand vessels, such as the Ever Unity and AS Clarita, which joined the fleet after drydocking. MSC’s shift from chartered to owned vessels reflects a strategic move to secure capacity amid a competitive and volatile market, positioning the company for sustained growth in the container shipping sector.
- https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1149473/Secondhand-containership-demand-drives-values-by-up-to-30 – In 2024, demand for secondhand containerships led to a 30% increase in vessel values. MSC was a significant buyer, acquiring over 25 secondhand vessels since January. The heightened demand was driven by Red Sea diversions, creating a capacity crunch and prompting liner operators to seek additional tonnage. The scarcity of available vessels and the need to fill capacity gaps have contributed to rising prices in the secondhand market, benefiting sellers and reshaping acquisition strategies among major shipping lines.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on January 22, 2026, making it current. However, the content references events up to November 2025, which may affect its freshness. The analysis appears original, with no evidence of recycling from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data but does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article does not provide direct quotes. Instead, it references analyses and reports from sources such as Alphaliner and Lloyd’s List. While these sources are reputable, the lack of direct quotes makes independent verification challenging. The absence of direct quotes reduces the score.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The article cites reputable sources like Alphaliner and Lloyd’s List. However, the primary source is a press release from Maritime Analytica, which is a niche publication. This raises concerns about the independence and potential bias of the source. The reliance on a single source without corroboration from other independent outlets reduces the score.
Plausibility check
Score: 7
Notes: The claims about MSC’s acquisition strategy align with industry trends and reports from reputable sources. However, the article lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, or dates, which makes independent verification difficult. The tone and language are consistent with industry analyses, but the lack of specific details raises questions about the article’s authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary: The article presents plausible claims about MSC’s acquisition strategy, supported by references to reputable sources. However, the reliance on a single press release without independent verification, the absence of direct quotes, and the lack of specific factual anchors raise significant concerns about the article’s reliability and authenticity. Given these issues, the content cannot be fully verified, leading to a FAIL verdict with MEDIUM confidence.