Hapag-Lloyd has signed a contract with Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles to build eight new container ships. Each vessel will carry 4,500 TEU. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028 and 2029. The investment exceeds USD 500 million.
The ships will feature advanced dual-fuel methanol engines. They will be up to 30% more efficient than older ships in the same class. When using methanol, each ship can save up to 350,000 metric tons of CO2e per year. This is Hapag-Lloyd’s first newbuild project with this sustainable propulsion technology.
Currently, the company operates or has planned 37 dual-fuel LNG ships that can also run on biomethane. These new vessels will expand that fleet.
In April 2024, Hapag-Lloyd agreed with Seaspan Corporation to convert five 10,100 TEU ships to dual-fuel methanol in 2026 and 2027. In November 2024, it signed a deal with Chinese energy producer Goldwind to supply 250,000 metric tons of green methanol annually. This green methanol, a mix of biomethanol and e-methanol, will cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% and meet all sustainability certifications.
Hapag-Lloyd will also charter 14 additional ships in three size classes: 1,800 TEU (4 units), 3,500 TEU (6 units), and 4,500 TEU (4 units). These vessels will be delivered between 2027 and 2029. The company will invest in a total of 22 new ships under 5,000 TEU.
Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, said: “Modernizing our fleet is central to Strategy 2030. These new ships will replace older vessels, reduce emissions, and lower our reliance on the charter market. They will also operate more cost-efficiently.”
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