HLL Pacific & HLL Adriatic in service
All four new containerships christened

The quartet is now complete: All four new containerships of Hanseatic Lloyd have now been put into service. After the first two ships were christened in April the last two vessels, the “HLL Pacific” (“APL Denver”) and the “HLL Adriatic” (“APL Atlanta”), were christened at the New Century Shipyard in Jingjiang (China) on 14th June. All four ships operate for the charterer APL.

This time it was a christening ceremony with storm and rain. However, “rain brings luck” as an appropriate Chinese saying has it. As with the last christening ceremony, exact timing and a well planned schedule made it possible for both ships to be christened on the same day.

“For the owner, the sponsor and naturally also for the shipyard, the christening ceremony is one of the proudest moments,” Henner Lothar (CEO of Hanseatic Lloyd AG) was pleased to note at the Pre-Nam - ing Dinner on the eve of the christening ceremony. In his speech he also reviewed the changes that have taken place in the four years since placing the order and delivery of the ship: The enormously expanded market increased steel prices, or exploding bunkering costs as well as more exacting requirements in the field of environmental protection. “We are proud to now have four ships that reflect the latest state of the art,” he continued. “With APL, we have a first-class charterer,” were the words that Henner Lothar directed towards the initial charterer. “We also owe you a debt of gratitude for your professional support during the whole design and construction process”. After individual thank you’s addressed to many others present at the Pre-Naming Dinner – in particular the employees at Hanseatic Lloyd closely involved with the construction project – he wished the crews of the newbuildings a safe journey at all times and concluded his speech with: “Be nice to our new babies!”

On the next day at the official christening ceremony. In attendance of re pre - sentatives from the shipyard, from Germanischer Lloyd, from the shipping company and of course from the future crews, Erika Abegg (wife of Georg Abegg, Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board of Hanseatic Lloyd AG in Uttwil/ Switzerland) and Petra Mackenthun (wife of the Managing Director Thorsten Mackenthun of the Hanseatic Lloyd Reederei in Bremen) took over the leading role as godmothers. “Ships are by far the most important global means of transport. They help to make living in many parts of the world possible and also help to improve living standards for us all,” said Erika Abegg in her speech. “I wish the Captain and the crew smooth sailing and always a safe return,” she closed her speech.
Petra Mackenthun, as she explained in her address, grew up along the River Elbe, so that all her life she has always had a special relation to ships. When she also became involved with ships in her job, she was thrilled to see the important role that shipping plays in connection with the progress of globalisation. Ships are part of mankind – “they link continents, nations and cultures!”

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