First of five methanol retrofits completed under Seaspan and Hapag-Lloyd’s collab

June 5, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Maritime asset ownership and management firm Seaspan Corporation and German container shipping major Hapag-Lloyd have completed the first of five vessel conversions under their methanol retrofit program.

Following the delivery of Seaspan Yangtze, the remaining vessels planned for retrofit are Seaspan Amazon, Seaspan Ganges, Seaspan Thames, and Seaspan Zambezi.

Each retrofit is expected to reduce CO2e emissions by approximately 30,000 to 50,000 metric tons per vessel annually when operating on low-carbon methanol, while also extending vessel lifespan and enhancing fuel flexibility, Seaspan reported.

Seaspan, Hapag-Lloyd to retrofit five 10,100 TEU boxships to methanol propulsion

Vessels

“The successful conversion of the Seaspan Yangtze together with the planned retrofit of its four sister vessels is another important step on our ambitious path towards net-zero fleet operations by 2045,” said Silke Lehmköster, Managing Director, Fleet, Hapag-Lloyd. “Together with Seaspan, we are demonstrating that retrofitting existing vessels for low-carbon methanol can be a practical way to reduce emissions in shipping.”

The retrofit program is being performed under Seaspan’s SAVER program, aimed at improving vessel efficiency, and the CleanBlue initiative, which enables low and zero-carbon fuel technologies.

“Decarbonization is not just about building the fleet of tomorrow, it is also about unlocking the full potential of the fleet we have today. Retrofitting and upgrades on existing fleets play a practical, immediate, and economical role in accelerating shipping’s decarbonization journey,” said Bing Chen, Chairman, President and CEO of Seaspan.

“Project SAVER CleanBlue highlights Seaspan’s strong customer partnerships, deep technical expertise, and unique platform with integrated with JV partners, such as WattSpan Maritime Technology, in executing complex and large scale retrofit projects.”