MSC Zoe christened in Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany, 02 August 2015 Today, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company celebrates the christening of MSC Zoe, the latest in the series of the company’s mega- container ships*, on her maiden call at Hamburg. MSC Zoe is part of a brand new class of 19,224 TEU container ships from the leading ocean carrier. The ships are built to exacting engineering standards at Daewoo’s Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering (DSME) Shipyard in South Korea and sail under the Panama flag. In keeping with the MSC family tradition, the ship is named after Zoe, the grand-daughter of MSC Group Founder and Executive Chairman. Four year old Zoe will break the traditional bottle of champagne against the ship in the port of Hamburg, in the presence of her mother Alexa Aponte Vago, Chief Financial Officer MSC Group and her father Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.

New ships for a new generation

It is symbolic that this new generation of container ships carries the names of the younger members of the MSC family, who represent the future of the company. Traditionally, MSC container ships are named after female family members or relatives of company employees. To date, there are just five exceptions: MSC Aniello, MSC Don Giovanni, MSC Diego and, earlier this year, MSC Oscar and MSC Oliver.

“We are delighted to present MSC Zoe to Germany on her maiden call in Hamburg” explains Dittmar Vösterling, Managing Director of MSC Germany GmbH, “Her arrival opens the way for even stronger ties between MSC and Hamburg. Today, in addition to our container business MSC also offer a range of dedicated intermodal services to customers connecting Hamburg to major business centres throughout
Germany.”

Designed for a healthier planet

MSC Zoe and her sister ships are not only the biggest container ships on the seas today, but their innovative design makes them among the greenest. As a responsible shipping line, MSC designs its vessels with the environment top of mind. MSC Zoe is specially equipped with a modern low fuel consumption diesel engine which reduces CO2 emissions. In terms of structural design, and also for greater operating efficiencies, MSC Zoe benefits from a double hull structure for additional strength and resistance for heavy cargo loads.

* in TEU capacity