New members of the Family
“HLL Arctic” and “HLL Caribic” christened in China

On the 3rd of April, Jingjiang in China was bathed in sunshine. The weather report had in fact predicted bad weather for the region to the east of Shanghai – but after all it was to be a big day for the first two of a total of four new container ships for Hanseatic Lloyd.

A small German/Swiss delegation celebrated the christening of the ”HLL Arctic” and of the ”HLL Caribic” together with representatives from the shipyard and from the charterer APL as well as from the future ship’s management. The ships have meanwhile entered service under the charter names ”APL Oakland” and ”APL Los Angeles”. Ambassadors between cultures It became clear at the christening ceremony that ships do not have only material characteristics. They are personalities – as soon as they have a name. ”Ships build bridges, help to set up networks and serve as ambassadors between industry and business, countries and continents, between different cultures and above all between people”, said Kornelia Engelken in her speech. ”The christening breathes life and a soul into them. Whether at sea or on land, it is team spirit and the constant search for quality and new horizons that determine the actions of Hanseatic Lloyd – and from the very beginning the main focus of all their efforts was on people.” A ship is not only built to make it possible to carry out transports between continents, but also in order to bring people together who appreciate the value of efficient shipping. “May this ship bear its message over the seven seas for many years, may it create values and successfully serve the interests of a global transport network”, the sponsor continued. ”I wish the captain and the crew good luck, plain sailing and always a safe return.”

New family members

”After all the efforts, all the work which we have all invested in these projects, I think it is necessary to now celebrate for once”, was how Harro Kniffka, Chairman of the Hanseatic Lloyd Group, had opened the ceremonials on the eve of the christening. No matter how many ships you already own, the handing over ceremony and entry into service of a ship is – if you have a heart for shipping – like being allowed to welcome a new member into the family. ”You look at this new comer and you promise to treat the ship well throughout its service lifetime”, the experienced shipping business man summed up his emotions in
words.

A long way

”Today's ceremony is a very special one for the Hanseatic Lloyd Group,” Harro Kniffka then also emphasised at the christening of the two container ships. ”Despite all the difficulties, it has been courage and confidence that makes us successful,” Mr Kniffka continued. These are the right ships and Hanseatic Lloyd has been able to charter them out to the well-known NOL/APL liner shipping company in Singapore for a long time charter. ”We are very satisfied with the result”, he looks back to the time between placing the orders in 2004 until the christening. ”These ships are milestones for our fleet,” he said. They also bear out the confidence of the group in a prosperous future. ”We will continue to follow our path in the spirit of true Hanseatic businessmen and with all due constancy.”

Well done!

”The christening is a good time,” Harro Kniffka added, ”to also say thank you to all those involved. To begin with, our thanks go to the shipyard New Century Shipbuilding and its workers. But our thanks go also to the banks who approved the necessary loans as well as to everybody who had or have anything to do with the projects.” And he also directed a cordial ”Well done!” to the construction surveyors.

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