At Least 86 Vessels to Be Equipped With New, Energy-Efficient Propellers
Hapag-Lloyd has marked the start of a new upgrade programme to improve the efficiency of more than half its fleet after loading a first retrofit propeller at the Port of Hamburg for shipment to Dubai.
The propeller, manufactured by Germany's MMG, is designed to cut CO2 emissions by up to 13 percent, and will be installed on Hapag-Lloyd’s 7,500 twenty-foot equivalent unit, or TEU, Ningbo Express in September.
A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd said the Ningbo Express would spend up to 30 days in a shipyard in Dubai while the rotor is fitted, entering back into service in early October.
At least 86 of the carrier’s fleet will be equipped with the same model, while a further 36 vessels will receive a new, flow-optimised bulbous bow, Hapag-Lloyd said.
During scheduled dry dock stays, a coat of anti-fouling paint will also be applied to all its ships on the part of the exterior hull beneath the waterline.
In total, the carrier is planning to upgrade 150 of its ships, with most measures carried out by 2025. The cost of the programme will be in the “three-digit million range”.
“Together with the €2 billion order for 12 LNG ships placed two years ago, this large-scale measure demonstrates that Hapag-Lloyd is rigorously investing in sustainable, competitive ship operations for the long term,” the company said.
Hapag-Lloyd boasts a fleet of some 253 container vessels and a total transport capacity of 1.8 million TEUs. The company’s vessels are specially equipped for shipping breakbulk, project cargo, reefer cargo and dangerous goods.
The Hamburg-based shipping group will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Americas 2022, taking place on 27-29 September at the George R. Brown Convention Centre, Houston.
To find out about registering, click on the link below.
