- Hapag-Lloyd has taken delivery of Wilhelmshaven Express, the twelfth and final vessel in its LNG dual-fuel Hamburg Express class.
- The 23,664 TEU ship, built in South Korea, is one of the largest ever under the German flag and will serve Asia–Europe routes.
- These new vessels are designed to cut emissions by up to 25%, aligning with the company’s long-term sustainability goals.
- Hapag-Lloyd targets a one-third reduction in fleet emissions by 2030, moving toward net-zero operations by 2045.
German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has received the final vessel in its Hamburg Express class series. Named Wilhelmshaven Express, the 23,664 TEU containership has officially joined the fleet and set off on its maiden voyage. The vessel is expected to reach Shanghai on June 12 under the German flag, with planned calls at Tanjung Pelepas and Port Tangier Mediterranee. The deployment is part of the Gemini Cooperation network with Maersk, which was launched earlier this year.
Final LNG Dual-Fuel Giant Joins Hapag-Lloyd’s Flagship Fleet
The Wilhelmshaven Express, with a deadweight of 229,347 tonnes, marks the completion of Hapag-Lloyd’s twelve LNG dual-fuel containerships built by Hanwa Ocean in South Korea. Measuring 399 meters in length and 61 meters in width, the vessel can operate at up to 22 knots.
This new class of containerships is recognized as the largest ever to fly the German flag. Designed for long-haul routes, the vessels now serve key East-West trade lanes between Asia and Europe. According to Hapag-Lloyd, their advanced design and dual-fuel capability are expected to cut emissions by 20 to 25 percent, supporting the company’s push for more efficient and sustainable operations.
The flagship of this series, Hamburg Express, was christened in November 2024. Hapag-Lloyd continues to invest in modernizing and decarbonizing its fleet as part of a broader strategy. In alignment with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target, the company aims to lower its absolute greenhouse gas emissions from fleet operations by approximately one-third by 2030, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
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Source: Offshore Energy
