Full Steam Ahead: A New Ship Class Sets Sails
Editorial by Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, our Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Vessels of the Hamburg Express Class are game-changers for how we serve our customers around the globe
Some milestones don’t just mark progress – they chart an entirely new course.
With the commissioning of the “Wilhelmshaven Express”, the twelfth and final vessel in our Hamburg Express Class, we’ve reached one of those rare moments that feels bigger than a single event. This isn’t just the completion of a ship – it’s the launch of a new chapter for Hapag-Lloyd.
These twelve ultra-large container vessels, each capable of carrying 23,660 TEU, aren’t just the largest in our fleet – they’re among the biggest and most advanced container ships in the world. But they represent something even bigger than their sheer size: a clear signal that we are determined to become “the undisputed number one for quality”.
This special issue of “Logbook”, titled “Giants of the Sea”, takes you right to the heart of this incredible project. It follows the full journey of the past four years – from the first sparks of construction to life on board during the maiden voyage, all the way to the very first call of the “Wilhelmshaven Express” in her home port. Over the next pages, you’ll step into the shipyard in South Korea where our vessels have been built and meet the teams who made it happen. And you’ll go aboard and experience what it’s like to be among the first to crew these towering vessels and discover the cutting-edge technology powering them.
So, what does it take to stay ahead in one of the fastest-moving industries? The answer is: innovation, scale and a determination to achieve best-in-class quality. The Hamburg Express Class delivers on all fronts: improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and, as vessels deployed in our Gemini Cooperation services, very high schedule reliability. They’re not just ships – they’re game-changers for how we serve our customers around the globe. And thanks to the dual-fuel technology, this vessel class will help us reach our goal of operating our entire fleet on a climate-neutral basis by 2045.
As proud as we are of these new giants, we’re even prouder of the people behind them. To all of you out there – from the site office team to the crews, procurement specialists, technical managers and so many others ashore and at sea – I would like to say thank you. Your hard work, passion and precision turned one vision into a dozen stunning steel realities.
Now it’s time to turn the page – and set sail into what’s next.
Enjoy exploring the world of our “Giants of the Sea”!
Discover more of our Giants of the Sea stories
Redefining Scale
Is bigger really always better? A conversation with Silke Lehmköster, in charge of Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet.
A Class of Its Own
How did the crew experience their first journey on the “Berlin Express”? Go aboard and find out!
Marvels of Engineering
Step aboard one of our new Hamburg Express Class vessels and experience a new standard at sea.
A Team Stronger Than Steel
Step into the shipyard in South Korea where a new generation of gigantic container ships were built and meet the team who made it happen.
Beyond the Helm
In this series, it’s the people behind the voyage who take the lead – sharing their own glimpses into everyday maritime life.
A Quest for Quality
Join Luise Jacobs and Pia Dabelstein by unveiling the secret of quality and technology at Hapag-Lloyd.
“A Clean Ship is a Happy Ship”
How grooming technology is literally shaving emissions off Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet – keeping it clean and green.
On Art and the Algorithm of Happiness
Following the unique route of Ijeoma Nwoke from Lagos, via Aberdeen to Hapag-Lloyd in Hamburg.
Underway
From rickshaws to regional trains—these stories show how our colleagues around the world make their way to work, one commute at a time.
Your Photos
From portside sunsets to open-sea snapshots: These are the images that caught our colleagues’ eyes. Take a look through their lens.