Hapag-Lloyd has strict maintenance and repair standards to ensure that work is always done well. We rely on durable materials with a robust design.

As early as 1995, Hapag-Lloyd used water-soluble varnishes to paint its containers. When the paint dries, less solvent is released into the atmosphere.

Quickly renewable woods such as bamboo, birch, and larch are used to construct the container’s inner floor. Containers with steel floors can be completely recycled when they are no longer serviceable.

Hapag-Lloyd possesses one of the largest and most modern reefer container fleet in the world.
We were one of the first shipping lines to introduce highly energy-efficient reefers, which currently make up the bulk of our reefer fleet. The compressors on the reefers only run when power is needed to keep a desired inner temperature in a range from minus 35 to plus 30 degrees centigrade. This intelligent performance control relieves the environment by saving large quantities of energy. The coolant used in our reefers is CFC-free (without Chlorofluorocarbon).

Apart from the high performance wall insulation, we increasingly rely on light aluminium instead of heavy steel for the interior cladding of our reefers. This reduces the reefer’s weight and the vessels fuel consumption in addition to the emissions.

Recently, a new reefer container type passed its first tests on a Hapag-Lloyd vessel. Carrier Transicold developed the generator which operates with CO2 instead of the conventional coolant. The CO2 used is a natural gas that comes from the atmosphere so, should it escape during servicing or repair work on the generator, there will be no substantial damage on the climate. The conventional coolant on the other hand can impact the environment if it leaks from the cooling circuit.

We strive to continuously improve the environmental friendly solutions on our container fleet. To expand our information base and be innovative, we actively uphold our communication with our customers, partners, and various institutions / associations. 

The new reefer container developed by Carrier Transicold passed its first test on a Hapag-Lloyd vessel. Its generator operates with CO2 instead of a conventional coolant. The CO2 used is a natural gas that comes from the atmosphere. Should the gas escape during servicing or repair work on the generator, no damage on the climate will take place. The conventional coolant on the other hand can substantially impact the environment if it leaks from the cooling circuit.

Hapag-Lloyd works with various industry associations such as, the Institute of International Con-tainer Lessors (IICL), and the Container Owner Association (COA), to develop innovative con-tainer standards. Containers with a new floor design are currently being tested. A larger quantity of steel in used in constructing the floor of these containers thereby using less wood and preserv-ing natural resources.