SWISS-HEADQUARTERED Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) continues on its buying spree snapping up eight box ships in the secondhand market during the past three week according to Alphaliner, as container shipping rates continue to surge.

According to Alphaliner's latest report, MSC has bought the 2001-built 2,764 TEU Westermoor from German owner Hans Peterson which is currently on charter to Hapag-Lloyd. The company also acquired 2008-built 2,546 TEU sister vessels BF Osprey and BF Mahia from German owner Foroohari. The vessels are on charter to ONE and MSC respectively.

MSC is also reported to have bought the 2003-built 1,683 TEU Borealis-controlled Bomar Vanquish and Bomar Valour. The Bomar Vanquish is already on charter to MSC while the Bomar Valour is operated by Maersk.

Additionally, MSC is understood to have purchased the 1,730 TEU 1998-built Miro and 2002-built Spero from Oslo-based Atlantica Shipping and the 1996-built 1,122 TEU Boundary from Jebsen Shipping Partners, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

VesselsValue data shows MSC acquired a total of 20 box ships in the year of 2020, and analysts Sea-Intelligence suggested in a recent report that MSC might soon overtake Maersk as the world's largest carrier.

Meanwhile, Greek owner Costamare has revealed the acquisition of three secondhand containerships in its latest set of quarterly results.

The company said it had bought two 2004-built 6,492 TEU sister vessels, with delivery expected during the first quarter. The vessels will commence a charter with a major liner company for a period of 22 to 25 months.

Costamare also completed the acquisition of the 2011-built 4,178 TEU containership Neokastro from German owner Peter Dohle. No price was reported for the deal, with VesselsValue indicating the vessel is valued at around US$27.2 million. Since delivery, the vessel has gone on charter for a period of approximately 12 to 14 months at an undisclosed daily rate.

In the meantime, the company also reported the sale of its 2000-built 4,890 TEU containership Halifax Express. The vessel is valued at $9.1 million by VesselsValue, and deliver to the new owner is expected to be completed this month.

Costamare also reported that it has secured 20 new vessel charters during the previous quarter, and has entered into new financing agreements for a total of $40.6 million.