Hapag-Lloyd has contracted Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles to build eight 4,500-TEU containerships with dual-fuel methanol engines in a deal worth more than US$500 million, reported London's SeaNews.

The vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, are expected to be up to 30 per cent more efficient than older ships of similar size. Using methanol propulsion, they could save as much as 350,000 tonnes of CO2e annually.

The newbuilds will expand Hapag-Lloyd's dual-fuel fleet, which already includes 37 LNG-powered units capable of operating on biomethane. In April 2024, the company agreed with Seaspan Corp to convert five 10,000 TEU ships to methanol propulsion, while in November 2024 it secured supply of 250,000 metric tons of green methanol per year from Goldwind.

Chief executive Rolf Habben Jansen said modernising the fleet is central to Strategy 2030. He noted the new ships will replace older tonnage, cut emissions, reduce reliance on the charter market and lower operating costs.

In addition, Hapag-Lloyd will charter 14 more newbuildings in the 1,800-TEU, 3,500-TEU and 4,500-TEU classes between 2027 and 2029. Altogether, the company is investing in 22 vessels under 5,000 TEU capacity as part of its drive to decarbonise operations and strengthen sustainability in container shipping.