Hapag-Lloyd Secures USD 4 Billion Green Financing for 24 New Low-Emission Container Ships

Hapag-Lloyd Secures USD 4 Billion Green Financing for 24 New Low-Emission Container Ships

(IN BRIEF) Hapag-Lloyd has secured USD 4 billion in financing for the construction of 24 container ships, with a focus on low-emission technology and green financing principles. This investment aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to decarbonizing its fleet and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.

(PRESS RELEASE) HAMBURG, 5-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Hapag-Lloyd has successfully secured long-term financing for its landmark investment of USD 4 billion, aimed at the construction of 24 large container ships. This financing is in line with the company’s newly updated Green Financing Framework, which was independently verified by DNV, ensuring that it aligns with the stringent standards set by the Loan Market Association’s (LMA) Green Loan Principles. The ships, which were ordered in October 2024, will contribute to a significant expansion of Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet, offering a combined capacity of 312,000 TEU and marking a key step toward achieving the company’s decarbonization goals.

The financing package comprises four distinct elements, with USD 900 million funded from Hapag-Lloyd’s own capital. Two banks have committed USD 500 million in bilateral mortgage loans, while an additional USD 1.8 billion will be financed through three leasing structures. The remaining USD 1.1 billion will be secured through a syndicated credit facility, supported by the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure). The total financing covers around 80% of the overall investment, with maturities ranging between 10 and 18 years.

“We are committed to modernizing our fleet to deliver exceptional service and meet our ambitious decarbonization targets,” stated Mark Frese, CFO/CPO of Hapag-Lloyd AG. “This successful financing initiative underscores the growing importance of green financing options and marks our first collaboration with Sinosure for newbuilds in China.”

The company is focused on meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target, with a goal of reducing its fleet’s absolute greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2030. These new vessels, to be built in China and featuring advanced, low-emission liquefied gas dual-fuel engines, will be capable of operating on biomethane, cutting CO2e emissions by up to 95%. The ships will also be ammonia-ready and are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029, marking another major step towards Hapag-Lloyd’s goal of net-zero fleet operation by 2045.

About Hapag-Lloyd
With a fleet of 292 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.3 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. In the Liner Shipping segment, the Company has around 13,700 employees and 399 offices in 139 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 3.4 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 113 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd has equity stakes in 20 terminals in Europe, Latin America, the United States, India and North Africa. 3,000 employees are assigned to the Terminal & Infrastructure segment and provide complementary logistics services at selected locations in addition to the terminal activities.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions, estimates, projections or plans that are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Actual results can differ materially from those anticipated in the Company’s forward-looking statements.

Media Contacts:

Nils.Haupt
Nils.Haupt@hlag.com
+49 40 3001 – 2263

Tim.Seifert
Tim.Seifert@hlag.com
+49 40 3001 – 2291

SOURCE: Hapag-Lloyd