Hapag-Lloyd takes delivery of first LNG-powered giant

Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd has taken delivery of the first of the twelve ultra-large LNG-powered containerships from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.

Hanwha Ocean, previously known as DSME, delivered the 23,660-teu Berlin Express on June 14.

“She will now transition to the AG3 service before moving to the FE3 service in August and calling at Hamburg for her christening in October,” Hapag-Lloyd said via its social media on Thursday.

This is the first LNG-powered newbuild in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet, which consists of about 250 vessels.

The firm already operates the converted containership, Brussels Express, the world’s first ultra-large containership LNG retrofit.

Image: Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd first ordered six LNG dual-fuel containerships from Hanwha Ocean in 2020, and it added six more sister vessels in 2021. The orders have a total price tag of about $2 billion.

Moreover, the German shipping firm will take delivery of these vessels in 2023 and 2024 and all of the vessels feature MAN ME-GI main engines.

They are about 400 meters long and 61 meters wide.

Hapag-Lloyd expects the second vessel in this batch, Manila Express, to join its fleet in August.

In February this year, Hapag-Lloyd signed a multi-year LNG bunkering agreement with a unit of Shell for these ships.

The partners expect bunkering of these vessels to start in the Dutch port of Rotterdam during the second half of 2023.

Most Popular

Monkey Island LNG selects ConocoPhillips’ liquefaction tech

Monkey Island LNG has selected ConocoPhillips’ optimized cascade process liquefaction technology for its planned 26 mtpa liquefaction and export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

Italy’s Adriatic LNG to resume full ops by mid-September

Italy’s Adriatic LNG import terminal, owned by VTTI and Snam, expects to resume full operations by the middle of this month following the completion of maintenance activities.

Gasgrid says seven Inkoo regas slots booked

Firms have booked seven regasification slots at the Inkoo FSRU-based terminal for 2026 following the completion of the annual allocation procedure, according to Finland’s gas system and LNG terminal operator Gasgrid.

More News Like This

Hanwha Ocean scores LNG carrier order

South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has secured a new contract to build one liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier for about $252 million.

GTT clinches tank gig from Hanwha Ocean

French LNG containment giant GTT has secured a new tank design order from South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean during the third quarter.

Hanwha pens deal with its US yard to build second LNG carrier

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, part of Hanwha, has signed a contract with its US affiliate Hanwha Philly Shipyard to build a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.

Hanwha’s units, Kospo to jointly buy US LNG

South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Energy, units of Hanwha, are teaming up with compatriot Korea Southern Power (Kospo) to jointly buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.