Ensuring sustained environmental protection has been a keynote of Hapag-Lloyd’s corporate philosophy for many years and Hapag-Lloyd’s ecological approach was certified in accordance with ISO 14001 by Germanischer Lloyd some years ago.

Support for Marpol Annex VI

As a member of the World Shipping Council (WSC) – Hapag-Lloyd’s executive board member Adolf Adrion is Chairman of the WSC – the shipping line supports the US proposal for the revision of Marpol Annex VI for the burning of distillate fuels with a sulphur content of 0.1% in defined urban coastal areas from 2011.

Vessels

Hapag-Lloyd also deploys modern vessels and will be integrating eleven more containership new buildings incorporating engines with economical electronic injection and valve control into its fleet up to 2010. This advanced technology considerably reduces pollutant emissions and more than meets the standards (MARPOL Annex VI) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

In 2005 Hapag-Lloyd was one of the first shipping lines to complete the switch to underwater paints free of TBT (tributyl), receiving TBT free certificates for its entire ship fleet. As one of the trailblazers in this area, Hapag-Lloyd increasingly uses underwater biocide-free silicon coatings, which save 6% of fuel consumption per ship.

Hapag-Lloyd also advocates slower ship speeds, which radically reduce emissions. A reduction of only a few knots cuts fuel consumption by up to 50%.

There has recently been court action and a court ruling providing jurisdictional clarity for vessel emissions regulations. Hapag-Lloyd supports the stance taken by the PMSA and the actions being taken by the World Shipping Council to work for international standards to reduce vessel emissions worldwide. Hapag-Lloyd will continue to voluntarily use low sulphur marine diesel fuel oil for vessels auxiliary engines within the 24 mile zone off the California coast line and in California ports.

Refrigerated Containers

Hapag-Lloyd has a refrigerated container fleet of 65,000 TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is No. 2 in the global refrigerated transport market. The state-of-the-art units use energy optimally and, thanks to their excellent insulation, have a low heat emission. They are environmental-friendly and average consumption has been reduced to 3.5 kW per hour.