Hapag Lloyd tracking

What is Hapag-Lloyd?

Hapag-Lloyd is a container shipping company based in Hamburg, Germany. It ranks among the world's largest ship owners, placing fifth globally in terms of container vessel fleet capacity. This emblematic maritime company was founded in 1970 through the merger of two historic German shipping companies: Hamburg-Amerika Linie (HAPAG), established in 1847, and Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL), founded in 1857. These two ship owners played a major role in the history of transatlantic shipping, particularly in transporting passengers to the Americas in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The history of Hapag-Lloyd is closely linked to that of global maritime commerce. At the turn of the twentieth century, the two founding companies operated large transatlantic passenger ships carrying thousands of European emigrants to the New World. Following the two world wars, which resulted in heavy losses for these ship owners, the advent of containerization in the 1960s profoundly transformed the sector. It was in this context of change that HAPAG and Norddeutscher Lloyd decided to merge in 1970 to form Hapag-Lloyd AG, enabling the new entity to adapt to the new realities of maritime shipping.

Over the decades, Hapag-Lloyd has consolidated its position through an ambitious external growth strategy. In 2005, the company acquired Canadian ship owner CP Ships, significantly expanding its presence in North America. In 2014, it merged with the container division of Chilean company CSAV, and in 2017 with Gulf ship owner United Arab Shipping Company (UASC). These operations allowed Hapag-Lloyd to consolidate its place among the world's five leading maritime carriers.

• Date of establishment: 1970, through the merger of Hamburg-Amerika Linie (founded in 1847) and Norddeutscher Lloyd (founded in 1857)
• Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
• Parent company: Joint-stock company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2015
• Fleet: More than 300 container vessels
• Total capacity: Approximately 2.5 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units)
• Annual volume: More than 11 million TEU transported each year
• Workforce: Approximately 17,000 employees worldwide
• Network: More than 600 ports served in 140 countries

Hapag-Lloyd's shareholding reflects its international roots and financial strength. Two major shareholders each hold approximately 30% of the capital: Chilean company CSAV and German entrepreneur Klaus-Michael Kühne through his logistics companies. The City of Hamburg owns a significant stake in the shares, alongside Qatar's sovereign wealth fund and Saudi Arabia's public fund. The remaining shares are traded on the stock exchange.

Recently, Hapag-Lloyd has diversified its activities by investing in the port terminal sector. The company acquired Latin American terminal operator SM SAAM and created a dedicated entity named Hanseatic Global Terminals to manage its port holdings. This evolution marks Hapag-Lloyd's transformation from a pure maritime carrier to an integrated logistics service provider including infrastructure.

Which countries does Hapag-Lloyd deliver to?

Hapag-Lloyd operates on a truly global scale, with a network covering more than 600 ports spread across 140 countries on all continents. This exceptional geographic coverage allows the company to connect the world's major economic zones and meet the needs of international shippers, whether large multinationals or export-focused SMEs.

Hapag-Lloyd's network is built around approximately 130 regular maritime services, ensuring frequent and reliable connections between the world's major trade routes. The company particularly distinguishes itself on transatlantic routes between Europe and North America, connections between Europe and the Middle East, trade with Latin America, and intra-American commerce.

• Europe: As a German ship owner, Hapag-Lloyd anchors its operations in Europe from its Hamburg headquarters. The company serves all major European ports, from Rotterdam to Barcelona, including Antwerp, Le Havre, Genoa and many others. Europe constitutes the strategic platform for its intercontinental routes.
• North America: On the US east coast and the Gulf of Mexico, the company serves major ports such as New York, Savannah, Charleston, Miami and Houston. The west coast is also covered with calls at Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle. Canada is served through the ports of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
• Asia-Pacific: Hapag-Lloyd's Asian network is particularly dense, connecting ports in China (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao), Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe), South Korea (Busan), Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Australia and New Zealand are also served.
• Latin America: Drawing on its transatlantic heritage and its merger with CSAV, Hapag-Lloyd has a significant presence in Latin America. The company serves ports in Brazil (Santos, Rio de Janeiro), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (San Antonio, Valparaiso), Colombia (Cartagena, Buenaventura), Mexico and Central America.
• Middle East and Indian subcontinent: Regular services connect Europe and Asia to ports in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Dammam), United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Oman (Salalah), Pakistan (Karachi) and India (Mumbai, Chennai, Nhava Sheva).
• Africa: The African continent is served with connections to South Africa (Durban, Cape Town), Egypt (Port Said, Alexandria), Morocco (Tanger Med, Casablanca), Kenya (Mombasa) and other countries on the west and east African coasts.

Hapag-Lloyd has formed a major operational partnership called Gemini Cooperation with Maersk, the world's second-largest ship owner. This strategic alliance replaces Hapag-Lloyd's former stake in THE Alliance (with ONE, HMM and Yang Ming) and enables even more comprehensive coverage on major East-West routes. The Gemini Cooperation comprises 290 vessels with a total capacity of 3.4 million TEU, with Maersk operating 60% of this capacity and Hapag-Lloyd the remaining 40%.

The Gemini network is organized around 12 strategic hub ports, 10 of which are owned or controlled by the partners, and offers 26 mainline services covering seven major trade areas: Asia/US west coast, Asia/US east coast, Asia/Middle East, Asia/Mediterranean, Asia/Northern Europe, Middle East-India/Europe and transatlantic. This Hub & Spoke model is complemented by 32 dedicated feeder services ensuring connectivity with secondary ports.

What are Hapag-Lloyd's delivery services and timeframes?

Hapag-Lloyd offers a complete range of container shipping services tailored to the different needs of shippers. The company's core business remains container transport on global regular lines, but the offering now extends to integrated logistics services and innovative digital solutions.

The company offers flexible transportation options, allowing customers to choose between port-to-port transport (FCL - Full Container Load) or door-to-door solutions including land segments. This flexibility allows shippers to entrust Hapag-Lloyd with all or part of their supply chain.

• Standard container transport: The company's main service, covering the transport of general cargo in 20-foot (TEU) or 40-foot (FEU) containers, in standard or High Cube versions for voluminous shipments.
• Refrigerated transport (Reefer): Hapag-Lloyd has a large fleet of refrigerated containers that maintain constant temperatures between -35°C and +30°C. This service is essential for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive merchandise.
• Dangerous goods: The company ensures the safe transport of dangerous goods in compliance with the IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods), with specialized teams ensuring strict adherence to safety standards.
• Special and oversized cargo: For heavy, bulky or irregularly shaped loads, Hapag-Lloyd offers special containers such as Flat Racks (with collapsible walls) and Open Tops (with open roof allowing crane loading).
• Intermodal logistics services: Beyond maritime transport, the company offers ground transport solutions by truck or rail, enabling end-to-end delivery.
• Digital services: The Online Business Suite platform enables reservation and real-time shipment tracking. The Hapag-Lloyd LIVE program deploys smart containers equipped with connected sensors for precise tracking of location and cargo condition.

Regarding transit times, these naturally vary depending on routes and destinations. A transatlantic crossing between Europe and the US east coast typically takes around ten days. A voyage from Asia to Europe can take four to six weeks, depending on the departure and arrival ports. Hapag-Lloyd provides detailed estimates for each route via its schedule search tool (Schedule Search) on its website.

Schedule reliability is a priority for Hapag-Lloyd. The company measures its on-time performance (OTP) by comparing scheduled and actual arrival times. A vessel is considered late when it arrives at port more than 24 hours after the scheduled time. With the Gemini Cooperation, the network displays reliability of over 90% across all calls, which represents significant improvement over industry standards.

For shipments requiring a controlled atmosphere, Hapag-Lloyd offers EverFresh technology. This system modifies the air composition in the refrigerated container to control the ripening process for live cargo such as fruit or plants. Set points for oxygen and carbon dioxide are adjustable, which is particularly beneficial for sensitive cargo such as blueberries.

What are Hapag-Lloyd's rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Hapag-Lloyd's maritime freight rates vary depending on many factors: the route taken, the type of container, the weight and volume of cargo, the service level chosen and market conditions. As with the rest of the maritime sector, prices fluctuate regularly based on global supply and demand.

Maritime freight rates vary considerably depending on global market conditions. Hapag-Lloyd's rates generally fluctuate between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per TEU on major trade routes, but can experience significant variations depending on demand, available capacity and the global economic context. Transpacific routes generally display slightly higher rates than Asia-Europe routes.

• Quick Quotes service: Hapag-Lloyd offers an online tool enabling customers to obtain a maritime freight quote in just 30 seconds. By selecting the route, container type and nature of the cargo, customers immediately receive a rate estimate.
• Factors influencing rates: The final price depends on distance, container type (standard, High Cube, Reefer, special), cargo weight and volume, fuel surcharges (BAF), port handling fees and any environmental taxes.
• Fuel surcharges (BAF): The Bunker Adjustment Factor compensates for oil price fluctuations. This factor is regularly reviewed and is added to the base freight rate.
• Environmental costs: CO2 emission certificates represent an increasing cost, particularly for European routes subject to the EU emissions trading system.

Regarding maximum dimensions and weight of containers, Hapag-Lloyd offers different types of equipment tailored to shipper needs. All containers from the company comply with ISO standards and latest safety regulations.

• Standard 20-foot container: Internal dimensions of approximately 5.90 m in length, 2.35 m in width and 2.39 m in height. Maximum payload of approximately 21 tonnes.
• Standard 40-foot container: Internal dimensions of approximately 12.03 m in length, 2.35 m in width and 2.39 m in height. Maximum payload of approximately 26 tonnes.
• 40-foot High Cube container: Same footprint as a standard 40-foot but with an interior height of approximately 2.69 m, offering additional volume for voluminous cargo.
• 20-foot Reefer container: Internal dimensions of 2.29 m in width, 2.26 m in height and 5.45 m in length. Door opening of 2.28 m in width and 2.16 m in height.
• 40-foot High Cube Reefer container: Internal dimensions of 2.29 m in width, 2.56 m in height and 11.60 m in length. Door opening of 2.29 m in width and 2.43 m in height.
• Flat Rack: Container with collapsible walls for heavy and oversized loads. Equipped with robust lashing devices on longitudinal rails and corner posts.
• Open Top: Open-roof container allowing crane loading. Reinforced floor of 170 mm and lashing points of 1,000 kg each.

Hapag-Lloyd's container fleet comprises approximately 3.7 million TEU, including a large number of state-of-the-art refrigerated containers. For special cargo, the company recommends contacting its regional experts to determine the most suitable container type and obtain a personalized quote.

What are Hapag-Lloyd's delivery options?

Hapag-Lloyd offers several transport and delivery options to adapt to the varied needs of its customer base. As a container shipping carrier, the company primarily offers port-to-port services, but extends its services to end-to-end solutions including land segments.

Hapag-Lloyd's delivery model is built around flexibility and adaptation to each client's logistics constraints. Shippers can choose the service level that best corresponds to their operational and budgetary needs.

• Port-to-port transport (FCL): The customer is responsible for transporting the goods to the departure port and collecting them at the arrival port. Hapag-Lloyd handles only the maritime transport between the two ports.
• Door-to-door transport: Hapag-Lloyd handles the entire supply chain, from pickup at the shipper to delivery at the recipient's address. This option includes land transport by truck or rail at both ends of the maritime voyage.
• Intermodal services: The company offers solutions combining maritime transport and land transport by rail or road, optimizing costs and delivery times for inland destinations far from ports.
• Scheduled delivery: For cargo requiring precise coordination, arrangements can be made to schedule delivery at an agreed date and time.

Management of import flows is facilitated by Hapag-Lloyd's digital platform. The Import Overview allows customers to see at a glance all information relating to their shipments: cargo, container and bill of lading details, customs clearance, release and redelivery information. Information can be viewed by document, container or reservation.

For notification and tracking, Hapag-Lloyd offers several tools enabling customers to stay informed of their shipment progress:

• Real-time tracking: Through the Online Business Suite, customers can track their containers in real time through the connected sensors of the Hapag-Lloyd LIVE program.
• Automatic notifications: Email or SMS alerts inform customers of key shipment stages, potential delays and changes in ETA (estimated time of arrival).
• Schedule updates: The platform provides real-time updates on any schedule changes, enabling customers to react quickly to unexpected modifications.

Hapag-Lloyd's new schedule search system (Schedule Search) offers a simplified interface with all necessary information at a glance: transit time, terminal contact information, addresses and opening hours, voyage numbers and service names. Customers can enter departure and arrival locations and specify their needs (door-to-door or port-to-port, container type, dangerous goods) to obtain current schedule data.

What should I do if my Hapag-Lloyd package is lost or damaged?

In case of loss or damage to cargo transported by Hapag-Lloyd, it is essential to act quickly and follow established procedures to preserve your rights and facilitate the processing of your claim. The company has implemented an efficient claims management process, committing to provide a resolution in 85% of cases within 14 days.

When receiving a container, it is crucial to carry out an immediate inspection. The container and its seals must be examined by competent managers upon arrival. If the container is delivered damaged, or if the seals are broken, missing or different from those indicated in the shipping documents, these anomalies must be mentioned on the delivery slip by detailing observed damage and the presumption of loss or damage.

• Verification at delivery: Inspect the container and its seals upon receipt. In case of anomaly, note detailed remarks on the delivery note and keep defective or irregular seals for later identification.
• Rapid notification: In case of non-apparent damage discovered after delivery, immediately notify the carrier upon discovery of the problem, and in any event before the expiration of legal time limits.
• Photographic documentation: Take detailed photos of observed damage, the container, packaging and affected goods to constitute supporting evidence.
• Loss minimization: Measures must be taken to minimize damage and prevent its aggravation.

To file a claim, Hapag-Lloyd offers a dedicated web solution (Cargo Claims) enabling customers to easily submit requests for damaged freight. Customers are encouraged to provide a complete set of supporting documents in a single submission to accelerate processing. The company commits to processing 85% of claims within 14 days, well below the industry average of 30 days.

Regarding coverage and indemnification, it is important to understand the carrier's liability limitations:

• Limited carrier liability: Under international conventions such as the Hague-Visby Rules, the carrier's liability is generally capped at approximately 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kilogram, whichever is higher. These limits are often lower than the actual value of high-value goods.
• Cargo Shield: Hapag-Lloyd offers an extended protection product called Cargo Shield, available in three levels. The Standard level protects up to 15,000 euros per container, the Plus level up to 30,000 euros and the Premium level up to 60,000 euros. These amounts include storage, debris removal and disposal fees up to 10,000 euros.
• Quick Cargo Insurance: In partnership with insurer Chubb, Hapag-Lloyd offers individual cargo insurance for SMEs, carriers and freight forwarders, with coverage up to 500,000 euros. Premiums start from 28 euros per shipment.

It is important to note that Cargo Shield is not insurance but an extended liability product offering additional protection beyond standard bill of lading liability. For complete coverage, particularly against war and strike risks that are not automatically covered, it is recommended to take out specific cargo insurance. Claims with insurers must be submitted within 15 months after the end of the insurance.

Does Hapag-Lloyd handle international shipments and customs procedures?

As a leading international maritime carrier, Hapag-Lloyd is naturally specialized in international shipments and offers services facilitating customs procedures for its customers. The company serves more than 600 ports in 140 countries, which implies in-depth expertise of customs regulations worldwide.

Hapag-Lloyd has developed an integrated customs clearance service (Customs Clearance) enabling customers to manage their customs procedures directly from the company's online platform. This service is currently available for all exports and imports to and from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with expansion to other countries planned.

• Customs Clearance service: Online tool enabling customs declarations to be submitted directly via the Hapag-Lloyd website. The system guides users by indicating the list of required documents according to the customs authority and type of declaration.
• Types of customs inspection: Goods may be subject to three types of inspection: documentary (verification of documents against the declaration), physical (verification of goods compliance with documents) or scanner (detection of prohibited goods or contraband).
• ICS 2 system for the EU: Hapag-Lloyd complies with new customs regulations of the Import Control System 2, which requires customers to declare new data elements to EU customs authorities for containers bound for European countries.
• Export Customs Documents (UK): For exports from the United Kingdom, the HM Revenue and Customs NES (New Export System) is operational at all British maritime ports. Export declarations must be submitted to the CHIEF computer system.

Required documents for international shipments vary depending on countries of origin and destination, nature of goods and applicable trade agreements. The main documents generally necessary include:

• Bill of Lading: Principal document attesting to the carrier's acceptance of goods. It may be issued in original form or as a Sea Waybill.
• Commercial invoice: Document describing the goods, their value and terms of sale.
• Packing list: Detail of the contents of each package or container.
• Certificate of origin: Document attesting to the country of origin of the goods, sometimes necessary to benefit from preferential customs rates.
• Customs declarations: Specific forms required by customs authorities of importing and exporting countries.

Customs duties and import taxes are generally borne by the recipient, unless otherwise agreed between the parties according to agreed Incoterms. Hapag-Lloyd automatically releases containers once payment, documentation and customs clearance requirements have been satisfied. It is important to note that additional delays may apply for customs clearance, particularly for goods subject to specific regulations or requiring particular inspections.

For questions relating to high-value cargo, controlled atmosphere or other subjects relating to refrigerated containers, Hapag-Lloyd makes specialized regional experts available. Customers may also contact regional e-Business support offices for any technical assistance relating to digital tools and online platforms.

How to contact Hapag-Lloyd?

Hapag-Lloyd has a global network of more than 400 offices spread across all continents, enabling local assistance in most regions of the globe. Customers can contact the company through several channels depending on the nature of their request and their geographic location.

For general inquiries, Hapag-Lloyd provides an online contact form on its website. It is recommended to include the reservation number, bill of lading or container number in the subject line for automated processing to the appropriate dedicated team.

• Global headquarters (Germany): HAPAG-LLOYD AG, Ballindamm 25, 20095 Hamburg, Germany. Telephone: +49 40 3001 0
• Germany and Central Europe: HAPAG-LLOYD AG, Faulenstr. 2-12, 28195 Bremen, Germany
• North America (regional headquarters): HAPAG-LLOYD (AMERICA) LLC, 3 Ravinia Drive Suite 1600, 30346 Atlanta, USA. Customer service: +1 855 227-4612. Email: [email protected] (for export/import/documentation requests). Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
• Online contact form: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/solutions/contact-form/
• Quick contact page: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/meta/quick-access-to-contact.html

For specialized requests, Hapag-Lloyd offers dedicated contact channels:

• Special cargo projects: Customers can contact regional experts specializing in oversized, heavy or project cargo transport.
• Refrigerated containers: A dedicated team answers questions about high-value cargo, controlled atmosphere and other reefer-related subjects.
• e-Business support: Regional support offices assist customers with the use of the Online Business Suite and other digital tools.
• Cargo claims: A dedicated online portal enables submission and tracking of claims for damaged or lost goods.

Hapag-Lloyd's Online Business Suite is the main access point to the company's online services. This platform enables management of the entire shipment cycle: schedule search, quote requests, reservations, container tracking, document management, customs clearance and claims. Customers can create a free account to access all these features.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a Hapag-Lloyd container online, different statuses may appear to indicate your shipment progress. Each container has a unique four-letter code followed by seven digits, and each shipment receives a reservation or bill of lading number. Using these references, you can check your shipment status through the Hapag-Lloyd web portal or mobile application and receive notifications at each key stage. Here are the main statuses and their meaning: