- Hapag-Lloyd received the Hamburg Express, a new LNG dual-fuel 23,660 TEU containership.
- Dual-Fuel Technology allows the ship to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25% and operate on non-fossil fuels.
- Strategic Fleet Expansion supports Hapag-Lloyd’s goal of climate-neutral operations by 2045.
Hapag-Lloyd, a leading German container shipping company, has taken delivery of the Hamburg Express, a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel 23,660 TEU containership from South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. This ship is part of a larger initiative by the company to enhance its fleet’s environmental sustainability, reports Offshore Energy.
Hamburg Express Class
Hamburg Express is the seventh vessel in Hapag-Lloyd’s latest Hamburg Express class, a series of twelve 23,500+ TEU containerships. These are the largest containerships ever to sail under the German flag. The remaining ships in this series are also being built by
Hanwha Ocean, formerly known as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). The Hamburg Express is set to be officially christened by First Lady Eva-Maria Tschentscher in Hamburg on November 4, 2026.
Dual-Fuel Technology
The new containerships are equipped with high-pressure dual-fuel engines capable of operating on LNG as well as conventional fuel. This dual capability ensures flexibility and allows the ships to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25 percent and soot emissions by 95 percent.
According to Hapag-Lloyd, these vessels can also operate on non-fossil fuels like bio-methane and e-methane, resulting in nearly zero CO2 emissions.
Hapag-Lloyd has signed a multi-year agreement with Shell Western LNG B.V (Shell) for the supply of liquefied natural gas. This partnership supports the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Strategic Importance
The Hamburg Express class operates on the Far East route between Asia and Europe, which is known for its heavy cargo traffic. The introduction of these environmentally friendly vessels helps Hapag-Lloyd address the capacity bottleneck caused by geopolitical tensions.
The company’s ongoing efforts to operate its entire fleet in a climate-neutral manner by 2045 are significantly bolstered by these new additions.
Earlier deliveries in the Hamburg Express class include Berlin Express, Manila Express, Singapore Express, Iquique Express, and Damietta Express. These ships, like the Hamburg Express, are part of Hapag-Lloyd’s broader strategy to enhance sustainability and efficiency across its fleet.
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Source: Offshore Energy
