Hapag-Lloyd locks in $4 billion green financing for newbuilds

In Germany, Hapag-Lloyd secured $4 billion in financing for 24 new low-emission container ships to be built in China under its Green Financing Framework, certified by DNV to meet Green Loan Principles. The ships, with a combined capacity of 312,000 TEU, are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029.

The financing package includes $900 million from Hapag-Lloyd’s funds, $500 million in bilateral mortgage loans, $1.8 billion via three leasing structures, and $1.1 billion through a syndicated credit facility backed by the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation. These arrangements cover 80% of the investment, with terms ranging from 10 to 18 years.

“We are continuously modernizing our fleet in order to deliver a high quality of service and to achieve our ambitious decarbonization goals,” said Mark Frese, CFO/CPO of Hapag-Lloyd AG. “The successful conclusion of several attractive financial transactions confirms that green financing components are becoming increasingly important.”

The vessels will feature low-emission dual-fuel engines capable of running on biomethane, and will also be ammonia-ready for future alternative fuels. By 2030, Hapag-Lloyd aims to cut its fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by one-third compared to 2022, advancing its goal of net-zero fleet operation by 2045.

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