Mediterranean Shipping Company has signed a partnership agreement with emerging
Chinese shipbuilder Hengli Heavy Industry, as the Swiss-Italian operator continues to reach out to mid-tier Chinese yards for new buildings.
Hengli Heavy Industry formed in 2023 with Hengli Group’s acquisition of the defunct STX
Dalian yard has so far received only bulk carrier and tanker orders. However, the partnership with MSC means Hengli could win its maiden box ship orders. The tie-up, inked on 23 August in MSC’s office, also extends to engine manufacturing, ship repair, and vessel retrofitting.
Hengli Group was originally established as a weaving factory in 1994 by its chairman, Chen
Jianhua and his wife, Fan Hongwei. It eventually expanded into oil refining, petrochemicals
and textile manufacturing.
Hengli Group plans to expand the capacity of its shipyard to 7.1 million gross tonnes, which
is more than twice its current capacity. MSC, now the world’s largest liner operator with
6.07 million TEU, is looking to build on its order book of 132 vessels of 1.82 million TEU.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
