MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received orders to optimize the container carrying capabilities of 31 Mediterranean Shipping Company vessels from six different ship series. The work is designed to optimize ships’ cargo system productivity and earning potential.

Deliveries are planned for completion towards the end of 2018.

“Container vessels are an integral part of the whole transportation value chain,” said Leif byström, senior vice president for cargo handling at MacGregor. “Maximizing their cargo system flexibility makes optimum use of available cargo space with any given cargo mix. This ensures that the greatest payload can be carried. Filling empty slots increases revenue for shipowners and operators and reduces emissions per transported cargo unit.”

With a fleet of 490 container vessels, the privately-owned MSC is a world leader in global container shipping. For many years MSC and MacGregor have enjoyed a long and cooperative relationship and numerous MCS vessels are equipped with MacGregor solutions.

“MacGregor’s expertise in cargo systems and its continuous development of new innovations is highly appreciated,” said Giuseppe Gargiulo, head of newbuilding at MSC. “Its solutions greatly improve our ability to compete in the current business environment.”

“Over the years we have developed a close collaboration and a good understanding of MSC’s cargo handling needs,” noted Atte Virta, a naval architect at MacGregor. “Through this work, together we have identified new ways to increase MSC’s cargo carrying capacity and competitiveness; critical in today’s challenging shipping market.”

Upgrade work on the vessels will be carried out under a MacGregor Cargo Boost service, part of its PlusPartner concept, which is designed to improve the earning potential of existing containerships. The upgrades include an individual plan for each vessel, with a focus on improving earning potential and efficiency.