Hapag-Lloyd in US$4Bn megadeal for 24 'ammonia ready' container ships

Hapag-Lloyd has signed contracts with two Chinese shipyards for 24 new container ships, representing a combined capacity of 312,000 TEU and involve a total investment volume of around US$4Bn. Financing of US$3Bn has already been committed.

Of these, 12 newbuildings – each with a capacity of 16,800 TEU – will be built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group to expand the capacity of current services. An additional 12 ships, each with a capacity of 9,200 TEU, have been ordered from New Times Shipbuilding Company Ltd to replace older units in the Hapag-Lloyd fleet.

All the newbuildings will be equipped with state-of-the-art low-emissions high-pressure liquefied gas dual-fuel engines. In addition, these vessels can be operated using biomethane, which can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 95% compared with conventional propulsion systems. The new ships will also be ammonia ready. Hapag-Lloyd will take delivery of the new vessels between 2027 and 2029.

“This investment is one of the largest in the recent history of Hapag-Lloyd, and it represents a significant milestone for our company as it pursues the goals of its Strategy 2030, such as to grow while also modernising and decarbonising our fleet. Operating a fleet of more efficient vessels will also enhance our competitive position, and thanks to the increase in capacity, we will continue to offer our customers a global, high-quality product,” said Hapag-Lloyd chief executive Rolf Habben Jansen.

Considering the recent investment decision announced on 16 April this year to retrofit five vessels to methanol propulsion, this investment is another step in Hapag-Lloyd’s efforts to prepare itself for a multifuel future and to drive the decarbonisation of the liner shipping industry.

According to reports, Hapag-Lloyd is also acquiring shipmanager Hamburger Lloyd, with the latter looking after 29 of Hapag-Lloyd’s ships.