MSC double date

 As befits the world's largest container line, the Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) had two ships in Halifax today, May 12, one for each container terminal. 

First to arrive was MSC Tianping but before moving alongside the South End Container Terminal it anchored in Number One anchorage, south of George's Island, for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Sounding its fog signal as some remnants of early morning fog lingered, the MSC Tianping had the Atlantic Oak as tethered escort tug to provide braking and steering. The small lobster boat was minding its own business tending traps.

The ship was built by Hyundai Samho in 2006. It was launched as E.R. Tianping but was renamed COSCO Napoli on delivery. In 2016 it became E.R.Tianping again then Tianping in 2021 and finally MSC Tianping in 2022.  It is a 91,649 gt, 101,491 dwt ship with a capacity of 8204 TEU including 700 reefer plugs.

MSC Tianping is on MSC's Indusa service and is eastbound from Baltimore for North India. The CFIA inspection is to ensure that the ship is free of the invasive Flighted Spongy Moth Complex larvae (Lymantira dispar). 

 Once clearance was granted the ship readied to move to Pier 42. As it was preparing to move the next ship, MSC Rosaria arrived on the Turkey-Greece service.

With the tugs Atlantic Willow (forward) and Atlantic Fir (aft) it worked its way in with pleasure craft and the harbour tour boat Kawartha Spirit nearby, but giving MSC Tianping lots of room.

MSC Rosaria sailed west of George's Island en route to Fairview Cove. It was built in 2007 by Daewoo-Mangalia in Romania. The 50,963 gt, 63,427 dwt ship has a capacity of 4884 TEU with 560 reefer plugs. It was launched as Buxstern but was renamed MSC Rosaria on delivery.

 The escort tug Atlantic Fir kept a taught line for braking and steering assistance.

Once the MSC Rosaria had passed clear of the number one anchorage area MSC Tianping was free to move to Pier 41.

MSC's fleet superceded that of Maersk Line earlier this year for the World's Largest title. Although the numbers change frequently, recent reports show the following:

MSC             4.8 mn TEU,  740 ships,  18.2% market share

Maersk         4.1 mn TEU,  696 ships,  15.8% market share 

CMA CGM  3.4 mn TEU,  604 ships,  12.8% market share

All three lines call in Halifax - MSC independantly, and the other lines as part of alliances.

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