Hapag-Lloyd recently announced the order of 24 new container ships from two Chinese shipyards, representing a total investment of approximately $4 billion. These ships will be constructed by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group and New Times Shipbuilding Company Ltd, with 12 vessels of 16,800 TEUs and 12 vessels of 9,200 TEUs, respectively. The new ships are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029 and will feature liquefied gas dual-fuel engines, known for their fuel efficiency, and will be ammonia-ready.
To finance this significant investment, Hapag-Lloyd has secured long-term financing of $3 billion. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen described this as one of the company’s largest investments in recent history. The decision to upgrade the fleet with more efficient vessels is expected to enhance the company’s competitive position and allow for an increase in capacity, ensuring the continued provision of high-quality global shipping services to customers.
The 12 ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group will expand existing service capacities, while the 12 vessels from New Times Shipbuilding Company Ltd will replace older units in the Hapag-Lloyd fleet that are nearing the end of their service life in the coming decade. This strategic move is part of Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to modernizing its fleet and improving operational efficiency to better serve its customers and maintain its position in the global shipping industry.
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