Hapag-Lloyd has officially completed the merger with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), creating the fifth largest carrier in the world with a $12bn turnover.
Following an initial business combination agreement signed last July, the two liner companies will join forces and operate a fleet of 230 vessels with an average age of 7.2 years.
Rolf Habben Jansen, chief executive of Hapag-Lloyd, said: “This is an important strategic milestone and a big step forward for Hapag-Lloyd.
