The Germany ocean carrier has taken ownership of the last of a series of 17 ultra-large vessels first contracted in 2013 by UASC, and has consequently sold three of its oldest vessels for recycling.
German ocean liner Hapag-Lloyd will take ownership of the last 15,000-TEU vessel in the series of 17 newbuilds originally contracted by UASC in 2013.
The vessel, named Al Jmeliya and classified as an ultra-large container vessel, was built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) in a series featuring 11 15,000-TEU vessels and six 19,900-TEU vessels.
The first vessel in the series was delivered to UASC in 2015, with the second-to-last vessel delivered in July.
According to Hapag-Lloyd’s announcement, the Al Jmeliyah will begin operating immediately on the FE4 service of THE Alliance between Asia and Northern Europe, along with another in the series of newbuilds, the Afif.
Given UASC’s merger agreement with Hapag-Lloyd, the German carrier will acquire all 17 newbuilds, bringing its fleet to a total of 219 vessels, the carrier said.
“These new ships are setting the highest standards in environmental protection and have particularly low consumption and emission values thanks to innovative technologies on board. For example, they have a sophisticated waste heat recovery system and a connection for shore-based power, and they are certified as LNG-ready,” said Anthony Firmin, chief operating officer of Hapag-Lloyd, referring to the delivery.
“With this newbuild, our fleet – one of the youngest and most modern in the industry with an average age of just 7.1 years – is now complete. We have no plans to order any more newbuilds in the foreseeable future,” Firmin stated.
Hapag-Lloyd has also completed the sale of three of its older container ships, the Deira, Najran and Sakaka, the company announced. The vessels, each with a capacity of 4,101 TEUs, will be transferred to shipyards in China and Turkey for recycling.
The vessels were originally delivered to UASC from Japanese shipyards in 1997 and 1998 but have been part of Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet since the merger at the end of May.
“The ships are being taken from the market as they no longer fit with the portfolio of Hapag-Lloyd, the carrier stated. The vessels will be recycled under the carrier’s internal Ship Recycling Policy enacted in 2014. As one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies, we are aware of our ecological and social responsibilities,” said Firmin.
In 2015, the company sold 16 of its fleet’s older units, most for recycling with two going back into operation with another shipping company.
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Source: Hapag-Lloyd
