Hapag-Lloyd has christened the Wilhelmshaven Express, completing a three-year newbuild programme that represents one of the largest fleet investments in the German carrier's history.

The vessel, with a capacity of 23,660 TEU and dual-fuel propulsion capable of running on LNG and biomethane, is the 12th and final ship in the Hamburg Express class series. The naming ceremony took place at Jade Weser Port in Wilhelmshaven, with Wibke Friedrichs, wife of former Hapag-Lloyd board member Anthony Firmin, serving as the ship's naming patron.

The completion of the Hamburg Express class marks the end of a $2bn investment programme. All vessels in the series were built at Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea and measure 399 metres in length.

"The Wilhelmshaven Express and its eleven sister vessels are not just the largest in our fleet — they are a symbol of our unwavering commitment to continuously lower emissions, to quality leadership, and to long-term strategic growth," said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.

The vessels feature dual-fuel propulsion systems, with technology designed to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 25% compared to conventional designs. The Wilhelmshaven Express is deployed on the Gemini Cooperation's NE1 service, connecting Asia and Northern Europe.

Habben Jansen highlighted the role of Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven in the company's operations: "The deep-water port has firmly established itself as a reliable and productive hub for Hapag-Lloyd and the Gemini Cooperation. With its consistent processes, efficient cargo handling, and direct connections to key trade lanes such as the Far East and the Atlantic, it plays a vital role in strengthening both our network and the resilience of our customers' supply chains across Northern Europe."

The carrier has already outlined its next fleet expansion phase, with plans for 24 new vessels scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. The programme will include 12 vessels with 16,800 TEU capacity and 12 ships with 9,200 TEU capacity.

These future vessels are to be equipped with high-pressure liquefied gas dual-fuel engines and will be capable of operating on biomethane, which the company claims can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional propulsion systems.

The naming ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony, along with customers, business partners, and media representatives.

Hapag-Lloyd operates a fleet of 313 container ships with a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU, serving more than 600 ports through 133 liner services worldwide.