Ever since his installation as chief executive of Hapag-Lloyd two years ago, Rolf Habben Jansen has been playing down the importance of ultra large containerships (ULCs) of over 18,000 teu. But with its merger with United Arab Shipping Co (UASC), Hapag will now be getting a whole batch of them.

The combination of the two carriers will see a combined fleet of 237 ships, including six of 18,800 teu and 11 newbuildings of 15,000 teu, the last of which — the Afif and Al Jmeliyah — will be delivered soon to UASC.

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