MSC Rafaela was built in 1996 and has been disposed of by MSC.
KOOS BIESHEUVEL/SHIPSPOTTING.COM
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has sent two of its veteran container ships, MSC Alexa and MSC Rafaela, for recycling. The Italian-built 3,300TEU capacity pair hold a special place in MSC’s history, as they were the company’s first brand-new containerships. Named after owner Gianluigi Aponte’s daughter, MSC Alexa entered service in May 1996, and was followed by MSC Rafaela in October. The pair were beached two weeks apart at Alang in November 2024 following their sale to Shree Ram Shipping Industries, a yard which operates in compliance with the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. This ensures that dismantling is carried out in an environmentally responsible manner.
The sale is part of MSC’s ongoing efforts to modernise its fleet and phase out older, less fuelefficient vessels. The company has been aggressive in ordering new ships and has been busy acquiring second-hand tonnage. Meanwhile, nearly 20 vessels from the Genevabased owner’s fleet have been sent for recycling in the past year. As of November 2023, MSC operates over 790 container vessels.