Maritime Partnership celebrates historic milestone

Hapag-Lloyd and DP World Southampton marked a milestone in the history of the two companies this week, when the Hapag-Lloyd Basle Express called at the UK container terminal on Monday 5 December almost exactly 150 years ago to the day that the very first Hapag-Lloyd vessel called at the Port of Southampton.

On 4 December 1861, the Hapag owned Borussia, an iron steamer, providing a mail and passenger service between Europe and New York, made its maiden call at the port.  In those days the Borussia, which had accommodation for around 500 passengers, would take about 16 days to reach New York from Europe.

Today the Basle Express is part of Hapag Lloyd’s liner services which offer up to six weekly sailings from North America, the Middle East and Asia to Southampton, carrying containerised goods destined for shops and business in the UK and Europe.

Cameron Bowie, Managing Director for Hapag-Lloyd (UK) Ltd visited the container terminal with Nick Loader, Finance Director, from DP World Southampton to mark the 150th anniversary.  He enjoyed a birds-eye view of operations at DP World Southampton from the top of one of the terminal’s brand new super-post panamax cranes which were commissioned in May this year.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:

“The cargo and ships may have changed dramatically but this week we celebrate a long partnership between our two companies.  I am sure there will be many more changes over the next 150 years but we look forward to welcoming Hapag-Lloyd vessels to Southampton for many more years to come.”

The 150th anniversary between Hapag-Lloyd and DP World Southampton comes just after the shipping company celebrated 125 years of regular liner shipping services with the Far East and Australia in November.

Cameron Bowie, UK Managing Director, Hapag-Lloyd, said:

“This is a double celebration for us.  As we look back over the years, Southampton has always been an important part of our history, providing Hapag-Lloyd with an important port of call in our global shipping network.”

Notes to Editors

DP World operates more than 60 terminals across six continents(1), with container handling generating around 80% of its revenue.  In addition, the company currently has 10 new developments and major expansions underway in 10 countries.

DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.  Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.

In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 17 consecutive years.

In 2010, DP World handled nearly 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 95 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

www.dpworld.com

• As of  September 2011. Includes non-container terminals