Hapag-Lloyd: order book depends on oil price
Rolf Habben Jansen, chief executive of the German carrier Hapag-Lloyd, confirmed at last week's press gathering in Hamburg (Germany) that the liner company is still evaluating its newbuild programme.
Given the recent oil price fluctuations, it is not yet clear what kind of vessels will be on the shopping list. With bunker costs at a low level, ships that are geared for slow steaming might not be the best option, the CEO said. The company will make a decision during Q2/2015.
Even though the group’s net operating result before interest and taxes (ebit) was minus EUR 77.9 million in the first nine months of 2014, Habben Jansen said Hapag Lloyd had sufficient financial means to place new orders.
Meanwhile, G6 member MOL has just confirmed it is planning to order vessels with a capacity of up to 20,000 teu.