Joining the mega-containership club is Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) having confirmed orders for six 20,150 teu vessels at yards in South Korea and Japan.

Following lengthy speculation over the orders MOL confirmed it had contracted Samsung Heavy Industries to build four 20,150 teu boxships to be delivered in 2017. The Japanese owner ordered directly at the Korean yard despite having previously put the order out to tender to major international containership owners for a charter deal.

MOL has concluded long term charter deals with Shoei Kisen Kaisha for two 20,150 teu containerships to be built at Imabari Shipbuilding, also for delivery in 2017.

“The newbuilding vessels will adopt various highly advanced energy-saving technologies, which will further reduce fuel consumption and cost, in comparison with 14,000 teu types that MOL currently operates,” the company said.

MOL did not reveal the cost of the newbuildings.

The company will join Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co, CMA CGM, China Shipping Container Line, United Arab Shipping Co and Evergreen Group as container lines that either are or will be operating ships in the 18,000 – 20,000 teu capacity range.