Where is Hapag-Lloyd AG based and what flags do they operate?

Hapag-Lloyd AG is headquartered in Germany, founded 1970. Operating flags are not always published — check the vessel-specific flag on our /ships pages for crewing decisions. The HQ country may differ from the flag of registry (open registries like Liberia, Panama, Marshall Islands are common for non-cabotage operators).

What vessel types does Hapag-Lloyd AG operate?

container. Vessel type drives day-to-day work content, watch schedule, and pay scale — bulk carrier crews see different routines than container-ship or tanker crews. See /vessel-types for the crew-perspective profile of each.

How do I file a complaint against Hapag-Lloyd AG?

Complaints can be lodged with the flag administration of the vessel, the port-state authority at the next port of call (under MLC 2006), the ITF, and any seafarer welfare organisation (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society). Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready. For wage theft or abandonment, ITF inspector intervention in port is the fastest practical route.

Is Hapag-Lloyd AG MLC-compliant?

MLC compliance applies vessel-by-vessel based on flag of registry. Most vessels flying flags that have ratified MLC 2006 are required by law to be MLC-compliant. Verify by checking the vessel's MLC certificate (posted on board) when joining. Operators that own ships under non-MLC-ratified flags may still apply MLC standards voluntarily, but the convention-based complaint route is weaker.

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Hapag-Lloyd AG

Operator · HQ Germany · est. 1970

German container shipping company formed by the 1970 merger of Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd.

You need to operate in a highly complex environment.

Hapag-Lloyd AG is a Germany shipping operator founded in 1970. The company operating a fleet of 260 vessels, across container.

Fleet size: 260
Seafarer count: —
Vessel types: container
Website: hapag-lloyd.com

Fleet indicators

Vessels tracked: 10
Average age: 14.8 years
Average DWT: 138,129
Average GT: 133,356
Top vessel types: container (10)

Aggregated from the vessels tracked in our /ships directory; not a complete fleet census.

Vessels

Owned

Barzan · IMO 9728882
Hapag-Lloyd Sajir · IMO 9596033
Hapag-Lloyd Brussels Express · IMO 9387399
Hapag-Lloyd Cape Town · IMO 9480376
Hapag-Lloyd Essen Express · IMO 9551547

Managed

Barzan · IMO 9728882
Hapag-Lloyd Sajir · IMO 9596033
Hapag-Lloyd Brussels Express · IMO 9387399
Hapag-Lloyd Cape Town · IMO 9480376
Hapag-Lloyd Essen Express · IMO 9551547

Recruitment red flags — know before you sign

These are warning signs of fraudulent or non-compliant recruitment. They are not accusations against any specific company.

⚠Upfront placement fees demanded from you — illegal under MLC 2006 A1.4(5)(b).
⚠Payment requested for "visa processing" or "medical" — these costs must be borne by the employer or agency, not the seafarer (MLC A1.4(5)(b)).
⚠Pressure to transfer money to a personal or private bank account.
⚠Vague vessel details — no IMO number, no flag state, no agent address given before joining.
⚠No SEA (Seafarer Employment Agreement) / contract shown before you join or before travel.
⚠No official-domain email — "official" communications come from gmail.com, outlook.com, or similar free providers instead of a company domain.
⚠No agency licence number visible or verifiable with the issuing authority.
⚠Salary offer that seems "too good to be true" compared to published TCC / ITF industry wage surveys for your rank and vessel type.

These are warning signs, not accusations against any specific company. If you suspect a scam, report to the manning-agency licensing authority of the country claiming to issue the agency's licence.

Recruitment fees & scams guide Training fee refund guide

Hapag-Lloyd AG: FAQ

Does Hapag-Lloyd AG hire seafarers?: Hapag-Lloyd AG is listed in our directory as operator with around 260 vessels. German container shipping company formed by the 1970 merger of Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd. Beware of any agent who requests payment for a job offer — that is a red flag for a recruitment scam.
Where is Hapag-Lloyd AG based and what flags do they operate?: Hapag-Lloyd AG is headquartered in Germany, founded 1970. Operating flags are not always published — check the vessel-specific flag on our /ships pages for crewing decisions. The HQ country may differ from the flag of registry (open registries like Liberia, Panama, Marshall Islands are common for non-cabotage operators).
What vessel types does Hapag-Lloyd AG operate?: container. Vessel type drives day-to-day work content, watch schedule, and pay scale — bulk carrier crews see different routines than container-ship or tanker crews. See /vessel-types for the crew-perspective profile of each.
How do I file a complaint against Hapag-Lloyd AG?: Complaints can be lodged with the flag administration of the vessel, the port-state authority at the next port of call (under MLC 2006), the ITF, and any seafarer welfare organisation (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society). Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready. For wage theft or abandonment, ITF inspector intervention in port is the fastest practical route.
Is Hapag-Lloyd AG MLC-compliant?: MLC compliance applies vessel-by-vessel based on flag of registry. Most vessels flying flags that have ratified MLC 2006 are required by law to be MLC-compliant. Verify by checking the vessel's MLC certificate (posted on board) when joining. Operators that own ships under non-MLC-ratified flags may still apply MLC standards voluntarily, but the convention-based complaint route is weaker.

High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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