Hapag-Lloyd plans up to 22 newbuilds as part of major fleet renewal strategy

Hapag-Lloyd is pressing ahead with an ambitious fleet renewal initiative that could see the German container line add as many as 22 new ships in the sub-5,000 teu category. The investment marks a significant step in the carrier’s long-term push to modernise its fleet and accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

According to the Hamburg-headquartered company, the planned newbuilds will comprise a combination of owned vessels and ships taken on long-term charter. The project is positioned as a core element of Hapag-Lloyd’s drive to boost operational efficiency and progress toward its target of achieving net-zero emissions across its fleet by 2045.

The focus on smaller vessel sizes reflects the high-demand nature of this segment, where the company aims to phase out ageing tonnage, lower its exposure to volatile charter markets, and benefit from the improved economics of next-generation fuel-efficient designs.

Industry sources indicate that Hapag-Lloyd has begun discussions with several Chinese shipyards to construct two series of vessels in the 3,100 teu and 4,500 teu categories. Brokers suggest the order may be divided between Yantai Raffles and Taizhou Sanfu Shipyard, with indicative pricing of around US$60m for the smaller ships and US$70m for the larger units.

Should the plan proceed in full, Hapag-Lloyd’s orderbook would increase from 34 vessels currently to as many as 56, combining both owned and chartered newbuildings. As of the end of September, the company operated a fleet of 305 ships with a total capacity of 2.5 million teu, ranking it as the world’s fifth-largest container carrier.