Hapag-Lloyd, Seaspan to retrofit five vessels for methanol propulsion

Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan have entered into an agreement to retrofit and convert five 10,100 TEU container ships powered by conventional MAN S90 engines to dual-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol.

Following engine retrofit, the vessels will continue to be on long-term charter from Seaspan to Hapag-Lloyd. The vessels scheduled for retrofits are Seaspan Amazon, Seaspan Ganges, Seaspan Thames, Seaspan Yangtze and Seaspan Zambezi.

The retrofit is expected to take approximately 80-90 days per vessel starting in the first quarter of 2026. The total investment is estimated at around $120 million for the five units.

Maximilan Rothkopf, COO, Hapag-Lloyd says: “The methanol retrofit project is a further step in our ambitious sustainability agenda, which aims to achieve the decarbonisation of the entire fleet by 2045. By enabling these vessels to use green methanol as of 2026, we will meet our customers’ growing demand for green transportation solutions.”

Torsten Holst Pedersen, COO, Seaspan adds: “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 decarbonisation targets.”

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