Hapag-Lloyd is moving forward with a major fleet renewal program that includes investing in about 22 new container vessels in the sub-5,000 TEU segment. The Hamburg-based carrier said the plan supports its long-term strategy to modernize and decarbonize its fleet, with the new units consisting of both owned and long-term chartered vessels. The company called the initiative a key milestone toward greater efficiency and achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045.

The investment focuses on smaller vessel classes to replace aging tonnage, reduce reliance on the high-priced charter market, and lower costs through more fuel-efficient designs. Market sources report that Hapag-Lloyd has approached Chinese shipyards for two vessel series, with indicative prices of US$60 million for the smaller ones and US$70 million for the larger vessels. If completed, the order could expand its pipeline from 34 to as many as 56 vessels.