Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), the world's second largest container line, is upping the stakes in the ultra-large vessel segment. It is very soon launching the MSC Oscar, which, at a nominal capacity of19,224 TEUs, has the distinction of being the largest containership afloat.

Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, classed by DNV GL and registered in Panama, the vessel is 395.4 m long and 59 m wide. The first of a series to be acquired by MSC through a long-term charter agreement, it is due to be handed over this month.

The ship is slightly larger than China Shipping's CSCL Globe, which was officially declared at 19,100 TEUs a few weeks ago. Until then, Maersk's 18,270-TEU Triple-E ships were the biggest in service.

The Oscar is scheduled to operate on MSC's new-look Albatross service between Asia and Europe starting in January 2015.