Newly formed MPC Container Ships has swiftly moved to build a fleet of 13 vessels, with more to come.

The company, established by Germany's MPC Capital in Oslo last month through a $100m private placement, said deals have been signed costing $38m for seven ships.

These include the 966-teu AS Laetitia (biult 2007) and AS Laguna (built 2008), and the 2009-built Rickmers Malaysia (1,300 teu), which will be renamed AS Fortuna.