Hapag-Lloyd Celebrates Fleet Milestone
Hapag-Lloyd has reached a significant milestone in its history by taking delivery of its 300th vessel, the chartered ship Nordatlantic. This achievement marks the largest fleet the company has ever operated since its founding in 1847. As the fifth largest carrier in the container shipping industry, Hapag-Lloyd continues to expand its global reach.
Fleet Expansion and Future Plans
The Nordatlantic, a 24,480 dwt vessel chartered from Reederei NORD Group, is not the largest in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet but is a crucial addition. It joins its sister ships, Nordbaltic and Nordpuma, which are also set to enter service. These vessels, measuring 564 feet (172 meters) and capable of carrying 1,930 TEU, including 313 FEU reefer containers, will enhance Hapag-Lloyd’s intra-Asia feeder services. The company aims to strengthen its fleet and improve service efficiency through this upgrade.
Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet has seen impressive growth, with a reported capacity increase of 18.7 percent in 2024, reaching a total of 2.3 million TEU. This growth reflects the company’s commitment to connecting global trade and meeting the demands of its partners worldwide. In its 2023 annual report, Hapag-Lloyd noted it operated 260 container vessels with a capacity of approximately 2 million TEU, up from 237 vessels in 2020.
Historically, Hapag-Lloyd entered the container segment less than 60 years ago. The company launched its first containership, the Weser Express, in 1968, which had a capacity of 728 TEU. The merger of HAPAG and North German Lloyd in 1970 combined their fleets, leading to a significant expansion. Today, Hapag-Lloyd operates 129 owned vessels and 171 on charter, placing it fifth in Alphaliner’s ranking of the largest carriers. With 37 vessels on order, the company is poised for continued growth.
Looking ahead, Hapag-Lloyd is set to begin a new cooperation with Maersk, named Gemini, in February 2025. This partnership is expected to further enhance the company’s fleet expansion and operational capabilities.
