Hapag-Lloyd Orders Another 60,000 TEU Standard Containers

The shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is following up with an order for another 60,000 TEU standard containers. The containers are set to be delivered starting in July. The shipping line is responding to the shortage of containers in the market due to high demand. In total, Hapag-Lloyd is thus increasing its investments in the container fleet to 210,000 TEU.

(Hamburg) The significantly increased demand has led to a shortage of containers worldwide. Strong imbalances, particularly in exports from Asia, as well as congestion in ports and delays in hinterland transport, mean that containers are tied up in transport for considerably longer periods. To manage the transport volumes, a greater number of boxes is currently needed.

Hapag-Lloyd has therefore invested again in its container fleet, ordering a total of 60,000 TEU standard containers from China. The first boxes will supplement ongoing productions and are expected to be delivered to Hapag-Lloyd starting in July and integrated into the existing fleet. The majority will then be added in the third quarter.

“Demand remains very high, and the availability of container equipment is currently one of the biggest challenges in our industry and requires our utmost attention. To counteract the container shortage, and above all, to provide our customers with better service, we have repeatedly invested in our container fleet since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.

Earlier this April, Hapag-Lloyd announced orders for a total of around 150,000 TEU standard and reefer containers for 2021. At the beginning of the pandemic, the company also invested in its container fleet.

Photo: © Hapag-Lloyd