‘Retrofitting Five Containerships to Methanol Propulsion’

Hapag-Lloyd, a major ocean freight carrier, has unveiled a 0 million plan to retrofit five vessels to methanol propulsion as part of its commitment to achieve decarbonization by 2045.

Teaming up with Seaspan Corp., Hapag-Lloyd will convert five 10,100 TEU container ships from conventional diesel engines to dual-fuel engines that can also run on methanol. These vessels, currently powered by MAN S90 engines, will remain under long-term charter from Seaspan to Hapag-Lloyd after the retrofit.

Seaspan, a leading maritime asset management and ownership company, boasts an operating fleet of 153 vessels and 36 more under construction.

The retrofit process is set to kick off in the first quarter of 2026, with each vessel taking approximately 80-90 days to complete. The five vessels undergoing the transformation are the “Seaspan Amazon”, “Seaspan Ganges”, “Seaspan Thames”, “Seaspan Yangtze” and “Seaspan Zambezi,” all part of Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet of 266 modern container ships with a total capacity of 2.0 million TEU.

Maximilan Rothkopf, Hapag-Lloyd’s COO, expressed excitement about the methanol retrofit project, describing it as a crucial step in their sustainability agenda. By adopting green methanol as a fuel source, the company aims to meet the escalating demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions among its customers.

Identifying green methanol as a key low-emission fuel of the future, Hapag-Lloyd is strategically investing in decarbonization efforts. The company’s focus is on sourcing and utilizing green fuels, implementing new-builds or retrofits with dual-fuel engines, and enhancing the efficiency of its existing fleet through programs like the Fleet Upgrade Program.

Hapag-Lloyd’s move towards methanol propulsion marks a significant milestone in its journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly shipping industry.