June 2025 | Hamburg, Germany — Global shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has officially taken delivery of the Wilhelmshaven Express, the final vessel in its groundbreaking series of LNG-powered ultra-large container ships (ULCS). This marks a major milestone in the company’s ambitious decarbonization strategy and its commitment to sustainable maritime transport.
🚢 A New Era of Green Shipping
The Wilhelmshaven Express is the twelfth and final ship in Hapag-Lloyd’s Hamburg Express Class, a fleet of 23,660 TEU vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea, the ship is among the largest and most environmentally advanced container vessels in the world.
“With the delivery of the Wilhelmshaven Express, we are completing a key chapter in our fleet modernization program,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd. “These ships are not only among the largest in the world, but also among the cleanest.”
🌱 Environmental Impact
The LNG propulsion system significantly reduces emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. Compared to conventional marine fuels, LNG can cut carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by up to 25%, making it a crucial transitional fuel as the industry moves toward zero-emission solutions.
Each vessel in the class is also “methanol-ready”, allowing for future retrofitting as alternative fuels become more viable.
⚓ Technical Highlights
- Capacity: 23,660 TEU
- Length: 400 meters
- Beam: 61 meters
- Fuel: Dual-fuel (LNG primary, low-sulfur fuel oil backup)
- Crew: 25–30
- Smart Ship Technology: Real-time performance monitoring, route optimization, and energy efficiency systems
🌍 Global Deployment
The Wilhelmshaven Express will join its sister ships on the Asia–Europe trade route, one of the busiest and most strategically important corridors in global shipping. The fleet is expected to significantly enhance Hapag-Lloyd’s capacity and competitiveness in this high-demand market.
📈 Industry Significance
This delivery comes at a time when the maritime industry is under increasing pressure to decarbonize. Hapag-Lloyd’s investment in LNG mega-ships positions it as a leader in sustainable shipping, while also setting a benchmark for other carriers.
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