On October 2, 2023, the christening ceremony for Hapag-Lloyd’s “Berlin Express,” Germany’s largest container vessel, took place at Hamburg’s Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG’s (HHLA) container terminal Burchardkai (CTB). The formal ceremony, overseen by Elke Büdenbender, the wife of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, marked the launch of this environmentally friendly vessel. Part of a new series by Hapag-Lloyd, the Berlin Express and its eleven sister ships are equipped with dual-fuel technology, allowing them to utilize LNG and non-fossil fuels like e-methane in the future. With dimensions of approximately 400 meters in length and 61 meters in width, the vessel has a capacity of around 23,700 containers, making it one of the world’s largest containerships.
The Berlin Express is set to return to Container Terminal Burchardkai in December 2023, reinforcing its ongoing role in the port’s operations. This event signifies a significant stride toward sustainable shipping practices, aligning with the growing emphasis on eco-friendly solutions in the maritime industry.
Image source: https://hhla.de/en/media/news/detail-view/hhla-welcomes-berlin-express-at-burchardkai