MSC deploys three 14,000 teu units to the Pacific

The 14,000 teu MSC PALOMA, has made her entry in the TP trade / Credit: Agustin Alapont Castilla

The Mediterranean Shipping Company this month launched a capacity boost scheme for the Pearl River Express transpacific service, which it offers jointly with CMA CGM and to which each of the carriers provides three vessels.

MSC will replace its three 11,600 and 13,000 teu ships with three 14,000 teu units: The MSC PALOMA, MSC VALERIA and MSC CAMILLE. The French Line CMA CGM will meanwhile retain its three 11,388 teu sisters on the service for the time being.

MSC’s upgrade might be short-lived, as the carrier appears to rotate at least some of the 14,000 teu leviathans back out of the Pearl River Express after just one round trip.

With an average weekly capacity of 12,000 teu slots per week and per direction, the Pearl River Express will nevertheless remain the highest-capacity container loop on the Pacific.