Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) is forking out around $158m to acquire six ships of between 7,500 teu to 8,500 teu from the German market.

The liner operator is paying $114m to acquire four vessels of between 8,200 teu to 8,500 teu, according to Alphaliner.

That comprises the 8,200-teu ER Tianping and ER Tianshan as well as the 8,500-teu ER Tokyo and the ER Texas (all built 2006).