Hapag-Lloyd’s converted LNG containership arrives in Hamburg

Hapag-Lloyd’s converted LNG-powered containership Brussels Express has arrived in Germany’s Hamburg as part of the vessel’s maiden voyage from China.

The world’s first large containership LNG retrofit sailed into its home port of Hamburg for the first time during the weekend, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd said in a statement.

To remind, LNG Prime reported on June 1 that the 15,000 TEU Brussels Express, previously known as Sajir, had completed its first bunkering operation in the Dutch port of Rotterdam. Shell’s 6,500-cbm Cardissa bunkered the vessel.

A spokeswoman said then that the operation was rather a trial. The vessel would complete its first commercial LNG bunkering on its second round voyage in Singapore.

The ship is not yet operating exclusively on LNG. Hapag-Lloyd said in the statement on Monday it expects to complete the “final guarantee works” at the end of this round voyage.

In the future, the ship would bunker twice per round voyage: in Singapore and in Rotterdam.

Hapag-Lloyd’s converted LNG containership arrives in Hamburg
Image: Hapag-Lloyd

“LNG is currently the most promising fuel”

Hapag-Lloyd put back the vessel in service on its Europe-Far East trade on April 1, following the completion of conversion works at China’s Huarun Dadong yard.

Moreover, the vessel now features a GTT 6,700-cbm LNG fuel tank but also MAN dual-fuel propulsion. It will primarily sail on LNG with low-sulphur fuel oil as a backup.

“The fact that a retrofitting of this scale had never been done before meant that we faced numerous challenges – from the planning to the implementation. We have broken new ground with the conversion, and we will now be testing it very precisely in real-world operation,” said Richard von Berlepsch, managing director fleet management at Hapag-Lloyd.

“Fossil LNG is currently the most promising fuel on the path towards zero emissions. The medium-term goal is to have CO2-neutral shipping operations using synthetic natural gas (SNG),” he said.

Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s largest liner shipping companies. The firm operates a fleet of 241 containerships with a total transport capacity of 1.7 million TEU.

Most Popular

Wison scores Suriname FLNG gig

China’s Wison New Energies has signed a detailed feasibility study deal for a newbuild floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility in Suriname's offshore Block 52.

Eni: third phase of YPF’s Argentina LNG project requires $20 billion investment

The third phase of YPF's Argentina LNG export project would require an investment of about $20 billion, according to Eni’s COO of global natural resources, Guido Brusco.

Atlantic LNG shipping rates jump this week

Atlantic LNG freight shipping rates jumped this week, while European prices decreased compared to last week.

More News Like This

Venture Global launches Calcasieu Pass LNG commercial ops

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has launched commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana, some 68 months from its final investment decision and 38 months after production start.

YPF expects more supermajors to join Argentina LNG project, CEO says

Argentina’s state-owned oil and gas company YPF expects more supermajors to become equity partners in the planned Argentina LNG project following a deal with Shell, according to CEO Horacio Marin.

Shell expects Q1 LNG trading results to be in line compared to previous quarter

LNG giant Shell expects trading and optimization results for its integrated gas business in the first quarter of this year to be in line compared with the fourth quarter of last year.

Peru LNG terminal sent five shipments in March

Peru LNG’s liquefaction plant at Pampa Melchorita has shipped five liquefied natural gas cargoes in March, one more than in the previous month.