New MSC 23,000 TEU ULCS enters service

The MSC Gulsun, the largest capacity container vessel in operation, was delivered by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) last week, three weeks ahead of schedule.

The MSC Gulsun features an 11 cylinder, 950mm bore G-type ultra-long stroke engine that reduces engine speed, resulting in a lower rpm for driving the propeller. This allows the use of a larger propeller and is significantly more efficient. The vessel also features 3 x MAN 9L32/40 and 2 x MAN 6L32/40 units, all of which were built by engine licensee STX Engine.

The vessel is also fitted with SHI’s Svessel data system, which analyses navigation data to provide voyage optimisation support. The system was also designed to provide equipment condition monitoring and fault diagnosis.

The containership features exhaust gas cleaning systems. In order to provide future fuel flexibility, the vessel has been designed to permit easy conversion to a dual-fuel system.

MSC ordered 11 23,000 TEU-class vessels in September 2017, and allocated six orders to SHI, and five orders to DSME. The final vessel in the series is due for delivery by February 2020.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS – MSC Gulsun