Hapag-Lloyd has shared details of its fleet and new builds in an infographic (below) following its recent merger with Arab container shipping company UASC.
The German-Chilean transportation company has now secured its place as the fifth largest ocean carrier as a result, with a combined fleet of 230 container ships and a total transport capacity of approximately 1.6 million TEU.
The company's average ship size has also grown from 5,860 to 6,839 TEU.
Hapag-Lloyd stated in an announcement to customers that it was “proud to operate one of the youngest, most modern and efficient fleets in the shipping industry”.
In recent years, Hapag-Lloyd and UASC have both made investments in expanding and improving their respective vessel fleets.
Hapag-Lloyd reported that its recent investments in 9,300-TEU and 10,500-TEU ships have “significantly improved” the efficiency of its fleet.
It added that UASC’s ultra-large vessels are ideal for the Far East Service within THE Alliance and that its 10,500 TEU ships have been built to fit the new locks of the Panama Canal.
All three vessels have been delivered within the first four months of 2017
As a result of the merger, the average Hapag-Lloyd ship age has dropped from 8.5 to 7.2 years.
The15 leading companies in the sector have an average vessel age of 8.3 years, meaning Hapag-Lloyd has gained a competitive advantage due to its younger fleet being able to travel in a more fuel-efficient manner.
Emissions are also minimized through modern technology and intelligent design.
Hapag-Lloyd has stated that the merger is “almost a perfect match” because both shipping companies invested in ships of different sizes over recent years.
Until now, Hapag-Lloyd did not have any ultra large containers vessels (ULCVs) with capacities of 15,000 TEU or more.
UASC’s “Tihama,” “Al Dahna,” “Al Zubara,” “Al Nefud,” “Al Muraykh” and “Barzan,” which sail for the new THE Alliance in the Far East service between Asia and North Europe, have a capacity of 19,870 TEU each.
Another 10 UASC vessels (including new builds delivered in 2017) can take on up to 15,000 TEU.
Before the merger, the largest ships in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet were the 10 “Hamburg Express”-class vessels, each with capacities of around 13,200 TEU.
