Hapag-Lloyd christens Hamburg Express flagship

The Hamburg Express is the eponymous flagship of Hapag-Lloyd’s “Hamburg Express” class and was christened in the Port of Hamburg at the weekend.

The vessel is the seventh a series of 12 newbuildings being built by Korean yard Hanwha Ocean.

The ship’s naming patron was Eva Maria Tschentscher – Hamburg’s First Lady and the wife of Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher.

Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: “The Hamburg Express is a flagship for the world-class shipping company Hapag-Lloyd and for Hamburg as a strong and cosmopolitan port city. The ship class sets new standards in sustainability and economic efficiency, making shipping even more climate-friendly.

“The naming of the ship underlines the deep connection between Hamburg and Hapag-Lloyd, which goes back more than 175 years.”

According to the company the 23,600 teu is the largest container ship to ever sail under the German flag. The Hamburg Express is equipped with LNG dual-fuel engines that can run on biomethane and e-methane when such fuels become available worldwide.

“With the ‘Hamburg Express,’ we are setting new standards in technology and sustainability. She will reinforce our status as the number one in quality and efficiency for our customers, especially on the strategically important Far East-Europe routes,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of Hapag-Lloyd.

The vessel operates in Hapag-Lloyd’s FE3 Far East service between Europe and Asia.