Cosco gets approval for 25,000 teu ship design, but will it be built?

© Vladimir Serebryanskiy

Cosco ship building subsidiary Shanghai Ship and Shipping Research Institute (SSSRI) has received design approval for a record-breaking 25,000 teu container vessel. According to Splash 24/7, it will not only rank as one of the largest ships ever designed but would also meet the requirements of China’s Manufacturing 2025 strategy. Even so, SSSRI told the publication that no orders had been received and market research was still being undertaken to assess the vessel’s viability. And, citing a poll, Splash 24/7 suggested the “frenzy” for ULCVs was now “over”, which raises questions over the economic viability of a ship of that size ever being built, let alone deployed.