Hapag-Lloyd, a leading player in global shipping, has announced a major investment in fleet modernization with orders for 24 new container ships. Signed with two prominent Chinese shipyards, this investment signifies one of Hapag-Lloyd’s most substantial fleet overhauls in recent history. The ships are designed to meet future environmental standards, emphasizing the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping and the ambitious targets set by the Paris Agreement.
The fleet expansion and renewal, valued at approximately $4 billion, comprises 12 ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, each capable of carrying 16,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), to augment existing service capacities. Another 12 vessels, ordered from New Times Shipbuilding, will hold 9,200 TEU each and are intended to replace older ships set to retire over the next decade.
Each of these new vessels is equipped with advanced, eco-friendly technology. They will feature low-emission, high-pressure dual-fuel engines that run primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the capacity to switch to biomethane, potentially slashing CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional fuels. Additionally, all 24 ships are designed to be “ammonia-ready,” allowing them to adapt to the growing viability of ammonia as a low-carbon fuel in the maritime sector. The dual-fuel design not only makes these ships more environmentally friendly but also positions Hapag-Lloyd to remain competitive as environmental regulations tighten across the globe.
Deliveries of the new vessels are scheduled between 2027 and 2029. With a combined capacity of 312,000 TEU, the added ships will enhance Hapag-Lloyd’s operational capabilities and ensure the company can meet increasing global shipping demand while aligning with the environmental benchmarks of its Strategy 2030. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen underscored the importance of this investment, describing it as “a significant milestone for our company as it pursues the goals of its Strategy 2030.” He added that the modernization will bolster Hapag-Lloyd’s competitiveness and enable the company to maintain its position as a premium provider of global shipping services.
In support of this ambitious investment, Hapag-Lloyd has secured $3 billion in long-term financing. This funding, together with the company’s multi-year focus on fleet improvement, positions Hapag-Lloyd to reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2030 compared to 2022 levels. The investment in these LNG- and biomethane-ready ships is a critical component of Hapag-Lloyd’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions for its entire fleet by 2045. Other initiatives, such as the recent retrofitting of five vessels to accommodate methanol propulsion, reflect the company’s proactive approach to embracing a multifuel future.
Hapag-Lloyd, currently operating 287 container ships with a capacity of 2.2 million TEU, remains one of the global leaders in container shipping and maintains the largest fleet under the German flag. This fleet expansion and decarbonization drive will play a pivotal role in maintaining the company’s market standing while setting a green standard for the shipping industry.
