MPCC, NCL and Elkem inaugurate NCL VESTLAND, the first of two dual-fuel 1,300 TEU newbuildings to be delivered in 2025
Haugesund, Norway, 1 April 2025: MPC Container Ships (the "Company"), in partnership with North Sea Container Line AS (NCL) and Elkem ASA, today celebrated the christening of NCL VESTLAND in Haugesund, Norway. This marks the commencement of the vessel’s service between Western, Central and Northern Norway and Rotterdam.
The container feeder vessel is the first of two MPCC dual-fuel 1,300 TEU newbuildings to be delivered in 2025. The vessels come with 15-year time charters to NCL, backed by CoAs from various parties, including a 15-year CoA with Norwegian industrial group Elkem. The vessels will enable more effective and environmentally friendly transportation of Norwegian goods and critical metals and materials to European and international markets.
“Together with our partners NCL and Elkem, this project allows us to set up a green transportation corridor in Northern Europe, whilst allowing us to make the right move towards a further decarbonisation of the fleet. It also demonstrates that we can meet ambitious environmental goals by joining forces with like-minded partners and we are excited to facilitate a green container shipping supply chain along the Norwegian coastline,” says Constantin Baack, CEO of MPCC.
NCL VESTLAND is the first dual-fuel vessel in the MPCC fleet which enables operation on methanol, allowing MPCC to take a significant leap forward in its commitment to use low-emission solutions in regional container trades. With more dual-fuel vessels to come, they are integral to our fleet renewal and emissions reduction strategy, positioning the Company as a fuel-agnostic early-mover and knowledge partner in fostering a more sustainable shipping industry. Through these selective investments, MPCC not only aims to reduce its carbon footprint but also to create long-term shareholder value by extending charters and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of its fleet.
