In a grand ceremony held on September 4, 2023, in Trieste, Italy, MSC Nicola Mastro, the latest addition to Swiss shipping giant MSC’s fleet, was christened. This monumental vessel, part of MSC’s groundbreaking Celestino Maresca class, boasts an astonishing capacity of 24,166 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The ship’s dimensions are equally impressive, with a total length of 400 meters, a molded width of 61.5 meters, and a molded depth of 33.2 meters.
MSC Nicola Mastro was meticulously designed by the renowned Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua, solidifying its status as a marvel of maritime engineering. The christening ceremony was marked by heartfelt tributes, with MSC Group President Diego Aponte paying homage to the vessel’s namesake, Captain Nicola Mastro. Aponte fondly recalled Captain Mastro as an invaluable asset to MSC, a consummate professional, and a dear friend who enriched his life through their shared adventures across the world’s seas.
This colossal vessel joins the ranks of its sister ships, including MSC Tessa, MSC Irina, MSC Celestino Maresca, and MSC Raya, all of which were also constructed in China at Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The order for MSC Nicola Mastro was placed by Bank of Communications Financial Leasing (Bocom) on behalf of MSC. It will proudly sail under the Liberian flag, a common practice in the maritime industry.
Notably, this isn’t the first mega-container ship to be delivered by Jiangnan Shipyard to MSC this year. In July, they handed over MSC Mette, a vessel with a similar TEU capacity of 24,116. These state-of-the-art container ships incorporate innovative features aimed at reducing their environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency. Among these features are a streamlined bulbous bow, large-diameter propellers, and energy-saving ducts.
MSC Nicola Mastro’s christening in Italy marks a significant milestone in the shipping industry, underlining MSC’s commitment to innovation and sustainability as it continues to push the boundaries of maritime transportation.
