Ports worldwide are upgrading capacity, efficiency, and environmental performance while managing rising costs.
Hapag-Lloyd Invests in Low-Emission Vessels
German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has ordered eight dual-fuel vessels from Chinese shipbuilder CIMC Raffles for delivery in 2028 and 2029, in a $500 million deal. The ships, each 4,500 teu, will run on methanol and diesel, cutting carbon emissions by up to 30 per cent and saving around 350,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
This fleet modernisation has implications for companies and global mobility professionals, as it promises more reliable, sustainable shipping and potential cost efficiencies for international supply chains. The move also aligns with growing corporate ESG commitments, helping businesses meet carbon reduction targets.
CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said the new ships will replace older tonnage, improve efficiency, and support the company’s Strategy 2030 goals. Hapag-Lloyd is also pursuing methanol conversions and biofuel agreements, aiming for net zero emissions by 2045.
NorthPort Enhances Capacity with New Harbour Cranes
NorthPort in the Philippines, operated by ICTSI, is boosting its operational capacity with two new Konecranes Gottwald ESP 5 mobile harbour cranes. Each crane has a 41-tonne lifting capacity and 46-metre outreach, improving quayside productivity and enabling Terminal 2 to service more vessels simultaneously.
The terminal has also ordered four hybrid Mitsui rubber-tired gantry cranes for delivery in late 2026. These cranes reduce diesel use and maintenance, already cutting carbon emissions by nearly half, supporting NorthPort’s sustainability goals.
For companies and global mobility professionals, these upgrades promise more reliable and efficient cargo handling, strengthening international supply chains and ensuring consistent service for shipping lines, logistics partners, and cargo owners.
General Manager Justin Tolentino emphasised that the investment reflects NorthPort’s commitment to meeting growing trade volumes and maintaining high service levels.
Dublin Port Proposes Major Fee Hike to Fund Expansion
Dublin Port has proposed a significant increase in port fees to fund expansion and infrastructure upgrades, with container charges set to rise by around 46 percent from 2026. The base fee for a 40ft container will increase by $2.13, while a new $17 infrastructure charge pushes overall costs to roughly $62 per container.
The port, operating close to capacity, says the increase is needed to cover rising capital expenditure, which is set to jump from $75 million (2015–2024) to $198 million (2025–2030). Plans under the Masterplan 2040 include a new container terminal with 612,000 TEU capacity and improved road and bridge access across the River Liffey to ease congestion.
Shippers and the Irish Road Haulage Association have criticised the move, warning that costs will ultimately fall on consumers already facing high living costs. Dublin Port handled 35.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, including over 800,000 containers.
Auckland to Receive New Green-Fuel Bunker Tanker
Port of Auckland has awarded a $28.9 million contract to Turkish shipbuilder Ada Denizcilik Ve Tersane Isletmeciligi to construct a new 88.8-metre bunkering vessel, set for delivery in late 2027. The tanker will supply low-sulfur fuel and marine diesel oil, as well as new environmentally friendly fuels, biodiesel and methanol, supporting the port’s sustainability goals.
The vessel will replace Seafuels’ current Awanuia, which has served the port for 18 years, refuelling container ships, bulkers, and cruise ships. Port of Auckland CEO Roger Gray described the investment as a key milestone in the port’s green transition, meeting future fuel needs and advancing lower-carbon shipping.
The investment coincides with growth at the port, which handled over 880,000 TEU and welcomed 1,130 ship calls in the year ending June 2025. Revenues rose to $266.7 million, with net profit up 55 percent to $49.2 million.