The City of Hamburg celebrates Hapag-Lloyd

What a worthy start to a proud anniversary: the City of Hamburg celebrated “175 years of Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft” with a Senate reception in the Great Hall of the City Hall on Friday, 20 May.

Around 350 guests from politics and business were invited, including the company's main shareholders Klaus-Michael Kühne and Andrónico Luksic as well as Supervisory Board Chairman Michael Behrendt and CEO Rolf Habben Jansen.

Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher gave a speech and made it clear how much Hapag-Lloyd and this city belong together. Even as a shareholder, he said, the Hamburg shipping line – which stands for the cosmopolitanism of the Free Hanseatic City like hardly any other company – will be firmly supported in the future. As a thank-you, he surprised everyone on site and presented Michael Behrendt and Rolf Habben Jansen with the Silver Portugaleser; a medal awarded in Hamburg for special achievements.

Hapag-Lloyd also used the festive reception to present the Albert Ballin Award. This year's main award winner Priscilla Achakpa came to Hamburg from Nigeria. She is the founder and global president of the Women Environment Program (WEP). Her project works to ensure that women know their rights and can fight for them.

In addition to Priscilla Achakpa, Hapag-Lloyd also honoured three young up-and-coming scientists whose research broadens and deepens our understanding of the opportunities and risks of globalisation: Dr. Hannah Pool, Dr. Cedric Maxime Koch and Dr. Patrick Abel.

Some Hamburg-based employees from Hapag-Lloyd got the opportunity to be present at this extraordinary event. Lucas Böttche, Manager Controlling Area Germany & Central Europe, was grateful to be there: “It was a very nice reception and a great atmosphere. The event vividly showed how closely Hamburg and Hapag-Lloyd are connected.” Michael Zetzmann, Director Finance, Accounting & Controlling Products, added: “It was a great event in the prestigious town hall with the city's dignitaries. The film on Hapag-Lloyd's company history was very impressive. And the awarding of the Albert-Ballin-Prizes to Priscilla Achakpa and three young academics underlines Hapag-Lloyd's global responsibility and commitment under the motto 'We Care'.