Hapag-Lloyd to upgrade 150 ships

As part of the first works undertaken, a propeller, which has been optimised for energy efficiency by the German manufacturer MMG, will be installed on Hapag-Lloyd’s 7,500 TEU Ningbo Express in Dubai in September. The ship is expected to save between 10 and 13% fuel and CO₂ emissions, depending on the sailing condition.

At least 86 ships are planned to receive new and more efficient propellers, and 36 vessels will receive a new, flow-optimised bulbous bow. During the scheduled dry dock stays, a resistance-reducing coat of anti-fouling paint will also to be applied to all vessels on the part of the exterior hull beneath the waterline.

Most of the measures will be carried out by 2025. “We aim to be climate-neutral by 2045. To reach this goal, we have set ourselves the interim target of reducing the CO₂ intensity of our own ships by 30% already by 2030. To do so, we are investing in new future-proof ships while simultaneously focusing on making our existing fleet fit for the future,” says Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, COO of Hapag-Lloyd AG.

The fleet upgrade program follows the €2 billion order for 12 LNG ships placed two years ago.

Hapag-Lloyd has a fleet of 253 container ships and a total transport capacity of 1.8 million TEU. It has a container capacity of 3.0 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 126 liner services worldwide deliver to over 600 ports across all continents.