Powering up for a greener future: Hapag-Lloyd's retrofit plans
Together with Seaspan Corporation and MAN Energy Solutions, Hapag-Lloyd is gearing up to convert five 10,100 TEU container vessels to run on methanol, marking a major step forward to cut emissions and decarbonize our own fleet.
It all started with a successful test run of a MAN S90 engine retrofitted for methanol use, carried out in Japan by MAN Energy Solutions and Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine. The test proved that the engine – originally built to run on traditional fuel oil – could switch over to methanol without a hitch. With over 50 vessels in our fleet powered by these engines, this breakthrough opens the door to a whole new world of greener possibilities.
Why methanol?
Methanol is shaping up to be one of the most promising alternative fuels out there. When produced sustainably, it slashes carbon emissions significantly compared to traditional fuels. Each of the five retrofitted vessels could cut CO₂ emissions by 30,000 to 50,000 metric tons every year – that’s like taking thousands of cars off the road annually.
Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Hapag-Lloyd
"Our methanol retrofit project is another step on our journey to decarbonize our entire fleet by 2045."
“Our methanol retrofit project is another step on our journey to decarbonize our entire fleet by 2045,” says Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Hapag-Lloyd. “By making these ships methanol-ready by 2026, we’re not only shrinking our carbon footprint – we’re also meeting the growing demand for greener transport solutions from our customers.”
A team effort
Making this happen isn’t a solo mission. We’ve teamed up with Seaspan Corporation, a long-time partner, to bring this ambitious project to life. Seaspan’s COO, Torsten Holst Pedersen, puts it perfectly: “Collaboration between strong and like-minded partners, Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan, drives innovation. Retrofitting must be an integral part of the strategy if the container shipping industry wants to deliver on its decarbonization targets.”
The truth is, retrofitting existing ships is no small task – but it’s an essential piece of the puzzle if we’re serious about hitting our sustainability goals. Alongside newbuildings, fleet efficiency upgrades and sourcing alternative fuels, this retrofit project helps push us closer to a low-emission future.
So, what’s next? The first of these newly converted, methanol-powered vessels should be hitting the seas in 2026 – and we can’t wait to see them in action. This is more than just a technical upgrade: it’s a bold step toward reshaping the future of shipping.
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