Hapag-Lloyd opts for 13,200 teu designs

Seoul: Germany's Hapag-Lloyd has ordered four 13,200-teu containerships at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

The liner giant has also agreed to upgrade to the same capacity six of the 8,749-teu boxships it had inked at the South Korean shipyard back in 2008, according to a statement.

The vessels are its largest orders to date and are destined to operate on the Far East to Europe trades.

Hapag-Lloyd, which received a government bailout just a year ago, says its “successful refinancing on the capital market” and “record” run in the first nine months of the year are behind today’s deals.

“This is a clear sign that Hapag-Lloyd has returned to its previous position of strength and will take advantage of its opportunities to grow profitably," executive board chairman Michael Behrendt wrote in a statement. “The step up to the next vessel size is as well-considered as it is important for Hapag-Lloyd.”
(source:www.seatrade-asia.com)