Beyond The Helm
Rattling anchor chains, tight port maneuvers, sudden squalls on the open sea or a walk across the deck in rough weather – every moment at sea tells a story.
The everyday reality of maritime work is shaped by countless moments that often go unnoticed.
In this series, it’s the people behind the voyage who take the lead: seafarers on board, terminal crews or shore-side colleagues. They share their own glimpses into maritime day-to-day life – from early-morning routines to unexpected moments on deck.
“Beyond the Helm” is about seeing what they see. About the rhythm of a ship, the pulse of the voyage, and the people who keep it moving.
Sometimes loud and fast, sometimes still and quiet. But always unfiltered. Curious to see more? Watch the videos and discover maritime life at sea and ashore through their eyes.
A front-row seat to the power of the sea:
This bow-view footage gives us a rare look at the ocean from a perspective most of us will never experience ourselves – close to the waves, the spray and the sheer force of the water. Curious, impressive and maybe even a little scary.
Thank you Dan Dascalita-Radu for capturing this incredible moment and sharing it with the rest of us.
In Kitakyushu, Japan, Hapag-Lloyd Special Cargo expert David Piel worked alongside colleagues and partners to load massive mining tires bound for Sydney, Australia.
The video highlights the immense scale of these oversized cargo units, each weighing over 6.5 tons and standing around 4 meters tall.
As the “Guayaquil Express” comes to a halt, its anchor is released to hold the vessel steady at sea.
The video captures the force and precision of this manoeuvre up close, offering a striking look at the scale and control behind everyday maritime operations.
The crew of our “Cartagena Express” captured the true Christmas spirit with so much heart, creativity and joy.
A wonderful reminder of the amazing spirit across our fleet. Merry Christmas to you all!
The champagne bottle strikes the hull, cheers rise from the quay – witness the highlights of the christening of the “Wilhelmshaven Express”, marking the proud completion of Hapag-Lloyd’s Hamburg Express Class. To relive the entire event in full, click here to watch the complete ceremony.
Watch as our “Hanoi Express” completes a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering with simultaneous cargo operations in Hong Kong’s bustling Kwai Tsing Terminal — the city’s largest-ever LNG bunkering to date. Efficient, sustainable, and completed in just 24 hours.
Van carriers move swiftly along the quay, cranes stand ready – and from the bridge, we observe how the “Guayaquil Express” makes her final approach to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.
More content from board coming soon!
Videos (top to bottom): Bow-view by Dan Dascalita-Radu | Special Cargo by Hapag-Lloyd AG | Anchoring of “Guayaquil Express” by Thies Rätzke Images | Christmas on “Cartagena Express” by Hapag-Lloyd AG | Christening on “Whv Express” by Hapag-Lloyd AG | “Hanoi Express” ship-to-ship LNG bunkering by Hongkong Modern Terminals Limited / SIMOPS LNG | “Guayaquil Express” in Antwerp by Thies Rätzke Images
Texts by: Anne Krege