German feeder boxships operator MPC Container Ships has announced the acquisition of a fleet of five boxships from Dubai-based Simatech Shipping & Forwarding.
The five vessels, Sima Pride (1,201 teu, built 2004), Sima Perfect (1,221 teu, built 2005), Sima Prestige (1,221 teu, built 2005), Sima Sapphire (1,440 teu, built 2006) and Sima Sadaf (1,440 teu, built 2007) are expected to join MPC’s fleet in the first half of this year, increasing its fleet to 64 units.
The total purchase price for the vessels is $41.9m.
MPC Container Ships have been vigorously expanding its fleet in the past month, having acquired 14 vessels in February, two further vessels last week and another this week. The company was launched in 2017 and outlined a plan to have a 100-strong fleet.
Meanwhile, as Simatech has focused on ever longer routes to Asia it has set about taking in larger tonnage in recent months.
