Feature: New Potency in Electronic Control
German predilection for technological advance permeates all areas of primary business and industrial activity, to the undoubted benefit of the competitive standing of its international market players. In the maritime domain, a clear appreciation of the long-term operating benefits promised by the application of electronic regulation to massively powerful, two-stroke propulsion engines is denoted by Hapag-Lloyd's selection of K98ME diesels for its next generation of linehaul vessels. In explaining some of the rationale in opting for electronically controlled, 'cathedral' engines of the largest size produced to date, an article in a recent edition of the in-house publication Hapag-Lloyd News illustrated the pragmatic approach to state-of-the-art technology.
Q&A: Q&A with Hapag-Lloyd Chief Superintendent Engineer Klaus Marek
Q: Does Hapag-Lloyd only operate shipping vessels? Marek: Hapag-Lloyd today is a global logistics company that offers its customers the complete range of transportation options to help them better manage their supply chain activities. Our 40 state-of-the-art container ships primarily service the crucial East-West trade routes around the globe. These container ships dock regularly at the most-important ports of the world. Q: Which shipyards do you prefer to contract? Marek: As a rule, we advertise for bids internationally. Unfortunately, from our perspective, German shipyards are not competitive in our line of business. For the past 15 years we have been ordering ships exclusively from South Korean manufacturers. We started with Samsung, but then chose Hyundai to build our last eight ships.
