Germany-based container shipping major Hapag-Lloyd has placed orders for up to thirty liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels in China.
Continuing its fleet expansion after newbuilding orders were ‘on pause’ mode for quite some time, Hapag-Lloyd ordered ten firm plus five optional 17,000 TEU units at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, according to data provided by Intermodal.
Costing $210 million each, the vessels will be fitted with LNG dual-fuel systems and 1.6k reefer capacity.
What is more, the Hamburg-based carrier contracted another Chinese shipbuilder, New Times Shipbuilding, for the construction of ten firm plus five optional 9,200 TEU boxships .
The price per LNG dual-fuel unit amounts to $140 million.
Hapag-Lloyd—which is the world’s fifth container shipping carrier according to Alphaliner’s TOP 100 list— welcomed several new LNG-powered ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) in 2024. The brand-new, eco-friendly units are said to be the largest boxships to ever sail under the German flag. The newbuilds feature ‘advanced’ LNG dual-fuel engines and energy-efficient designs.
The new ships are expected to help the company in its efforts to operate the entire fleet in a climate-neural manner by 2045.
In addition to LNG as a marine fuel, the shipping company is preparing for a multi-fuel future by embracing methanol and, potentially, ammonia. In the coming years, the shipping giant plans to implement alternative fuel retrofits, order new vessels and equip its fleet with energy-efficient solutions.
Earlier this year, the shipping heavyweight entered into a partnership agreement with Hong Kong-based containership owner Seaspan Corporation to retrofit and convert five 10,100 TEU vessels powered by conventional S90 engines to dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol. Following the engine retrofit, the vessels will continue to be on long-term charter from Seaspan to Hapag-Lloyd.