Signalling a self-professed new era for the Hapag-Lloyd fleet and the German deep-sea liner trades, the first of the company’s ultra-large containership (ULCS) newbuilds was formally christened in Hamburg on 2 October.

The 23,664 teu Berlin Express leads the 12-ship Hamburg Express-class from Hanwha Ocean’s Okpo yard in South Korea, combining an advance in scale economy with the comprehensive adoption of LNG fuel for the main engine, auxiliaries and boilers.

The company’s biggest ships hitherto have been the A19 series, delivered in 2015 and 2016 and acquired through the takeover of United Arab Shipping Company (UASC). Berlin Express offers nearly 20% more slots within the same overall length of approximately 400m but with the beam taken out a further 3m to 61m. The breadth underscores the considerable advance in post-Panamax design.