Hapag-Lloyd’s LNG-fueled 23,660 TEU giant receives LNG in China

Energy company World Fuel Services Corporation has conducted a liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in China, supplying LNG for Hapag-Lloyd’s 23,660 TEU containership Berlin Express.

With the support of both the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port authority and local supplier CNOOC, dual-fuel Berlin Express took delivery of 6,000 cubic meters of bonded LNG fuel in an operation that lasted around 20 hours. 

“The refueling of our new Berlin Express demonstrates great collaboration and innovation to achieve efficient LNG bunkering at a major international port. It’s a first of many steps forward in our journey to a low-carbon future and illustrates what can be achieved when suppliers and port authorities coordinate operations and work together towards a greener global shipping industry,” said Jan Christensen, Head of Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd.

“World Fuel is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition into lower carbon fuels in the marine industry by connecting customers with the right suppliers and ports. The successful LNG fueling of Hapag Lloyd’s Berlin Express exemplifies the power of collaboration, with support from the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Authority and local supplier CNOOC,” stated Mark Tamsitt, Senior Vice President Marine, EMEA & Asia at World Fuel Services.

“By working together, we can support the movement towards a more sustainable future in the marine sector, reducing emissions and fostering a cleaner, greener industry.”

Berlin Express, which is on its maiden voyage, was launched in June this year. According to World Fuel Services Corporation, the new Hapag-Lloyd ship became only the second carrier to be refueled with bonded LNG in the port.

The vessel is part of a series of twelve dual-fuel LNG 23,500+ TEU vessels Hapag-Lloyd ordered in late 2020 and mid-2021. The total investment value of the twelve vessels stands at around $2 billion. The 400-meter-long and 61-meter-wide newbuilds will be among the largest ships in the world.

One of the vessels in this series, Baltic Express, was floated out in January this year.