Hapag-Lloyd: Fleet Size, Routes & Tracking
Last reviewed 2026-08-21 · Next review due 2026-09-21 · 3 min read
Hapag-Lloyd is the world's fifth-largest container carrier, a German line formed from the 1970 merger of two 19th-century Hamburg and Bremen shipping companies, now the co-anchor of the Gemini Cooperation alliance with Maersk. Here's what to know about its scale, ownership, and how to track a shipment.
Shipping household goods? Hapag-Lloyd does not generally book with individuals — get quotes from a mover.
Get free quotesCompany facts
- Founded
- 1970
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, Germany
- Ownership
- Publicly traded
- Listing
- Deutsche Börse, Frankfurt (HLAG)
- Fleet capacity
- ~2.4M TEU (Alphaliner snapshot retrieved 2026-04-30)
- Ships
- ~291 vessels (Alphaliner snapshot retrieved 2026-04-30)
- Alliance
- Gemini Cooperation, with Maersk (began February 2025)
- Capacity rank
- 5
Formed on September 1, 1970, through the merger of Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG, founded 1847) and Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd, founded 1857 in Bremen) — the two companies merged to jointly fund containerization of their fleets.
- Formed the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk in February 2025 (~340 ships, ~3.7M TEU combined capacity).
- In February 2026, signed a merger agreement to acquire Israeli carrier ZIM for approximately $4.2 billion ($35.00/share cash) — pending as of this page's last review.
Tracking and household goods
Hapag-Lloyd's business is commercial, port-to-port container capacity sold to forwarders and movers. For a household shipment, book through a moving company. Ocean carriers vs. moving companies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with Hapag-Lloyd directly for a household move?
Not generally — Hapag-Lloyd sells capacity to businesses, not directly to individual households. Contact a mover instead.
Is Hapag-Lloyd acquiring ZIM?
A merger agreement was signed in February 2026 for approximately $4.2 billion. As of this page's last review the deal had not yet closed — this page will be updated once it does.
How do I track a Hapag-Lloyd shipment?
Through Hapag-Lloyd's own online tracking tool, using your bill of lading or container number from your mover or forwarder.
Related pages
Researched and compiled by the MoverQuoteEngine Research Team, August 2026.
Sources
Get quotes for a household container move
Finished the profile? Submit this form to compare mover quotes — not a booking with the ocean carrier.
Get Your Free Quotes
Free quotes from trusted moving companies — domestic and international
- Free, no-obligation quotes from participating movers
- Typical response within one business day
- Your details are shared only with suppliers for this move