Hapag-Lloyd has christened the Wilhelmshaven Express at Jade Weser Port, marking the completion of a three-year, 12-vessel newbuild programme valued at US$2 billion, reports London's Logistics Manager. The ship is the final unit in the Hamburg Express class, a fleet designed to set new standards in sustainability and productivity.

The Wilhelmshaven Express has a capacity of 23,660 TEU and features dual-fuel propulsion capable of running on liquefied natural gas and biomethane. The vessel is expected to cut CO2 emissions by up to 25 per cent compared with conventional designs. Wibke Friedrichs, wife of former Hapag-Lloyd COO Anthony Firmin, acted as naming patron.

Each vessel in the Hamburg Express class measures 399 metres and was built at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea. The programme forms a central pillar of Hapag-Lloyd's plan to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045.

Chief executive Rolf Habben Jansen said the new fleet symbolises the company's commitment to lowering emissions and long-term growth. The Wilhelmshaven Express is deployed on the Gemini Cooperation's NE1 service linking Asia and Northern Europe, with Wilhelmshaven port described as a key hub.

Looking ahead, Hapag-Lloyd plans to expand its fleet further with 24 new vessels between 2027 and 2029. Twelve ships will have a capacity of 16,800 TEU and 12 will carry 9,200 TEU. All will be equipped with low-emission dual-fuel engines capable of operating on biomethane, which could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 95 per cent.