Hapag-Lloyd has signed a contract with Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles to build eight new container ships. This information was reported by Hellenic Shipping News.
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The ordered units have a capacity of 4,500 TEU each and are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029. The investment volume is more than 500 million dollars.
The new ships will be equipped with dual fuel methanol engines. These ships will be up to 30% more efficient than older generations of ships of the same class and can save up to 350,000 tons of CO2 annually by using methanol as propulsion. Part of Hapag-Lloyds’ first new project to incorporate this sustainable propulsion technology, the vessels complement the company’s growing fleet of dual-fuel containerships: currently, a total of 37 dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) units that can also run on biomethane are in operation or planned.
Additionally, in April 2024, Hapag-Lloyd had already agreed with Seaspan to convert five 10,100 TEU container ships to dual-fuel methanol propulsion in 2026 and 2027. In addition, in November 2024, Hapag-Lloyd had entered into an agreement with Hapag-Lloyd to supply Chinese energy. 250,000 tons of green methanol per year Green methanol, which consists of a mixture of biomethanol and e-methanol, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70%, thereby complying with all current sustainability certificates.
Also, it was decided to rent 14 new vessels in the size classes of 1800 TEU (4 units), 3500 TEU (6 units) and 4500 TEU (4 units) on a long-term basis. The ships will be delivered between 2027 and 2029. As previously announced on November 13, 2025, Hapag-Lloyd is investing in a total of 22 new vessels in the under 5,000 TEU segment.
“Continuous modernization of our fleet is firmly anchored in our 2030 strategy. The new vessels will help to replace older tonnages, further decarbonize the Hapag-Lloyd fleet and reduce our dependence on the charter market. In addition, these advanced vessels will be much more cost-effective to operate.” Hapag-Lloyd AG.
Hapag-Lloyd remains committed to its goal of driving sustainability in container shipping and the gradual decarbonization of its fleet. By 2030, the company aims to reduce the absolute greenhouse gas emissions of its fleet operations by about a third compared to 2022. Net zero fleet operation will be achieved by 2045.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
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