On 4 December 1861, the Hapag owned Borussia, an iron steamer, providing a mail and passenger service between Europe and New York, made its maiden call at the port. In those days the Borussia, which had accommodation for around 500 passengers, would take about 16 days to reach New York from Europe.
Today the Basle Express is part of Hapag Lloyd’s liner services which offer up to six weekly sailings from North America, the Middle East and Asia to Southampton, carrying containerised goods destined for shops and business in the UK and Europe.
Cameron Bowie, Managing Director for Hapag-Lloyd (UK) Ltd visited the container terminal with Nick Loader, Finance Director, from DP World Southampton to mark the 150th anniversary. He enjoyed a birds-eye view of operations at DP World Southampton from the top of one of the terminal’s brand new super-post panamax cranes which were commissioned in May this year.
Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:
“The cargo and ships may have changed dramatically but this week we celebrate a long partnership between our two companies. I am sure there will be many more changes over the next 150 years but we look forward to welcoming Hapag-Lloyd vessels to Southampton for many more years to come.”
The 150th anniversary between Hapag-Lloyd and DP World Southampton comes just after the shipping company celebrated 125 years of regular liner shipping services with the Far East and Australia in November.
Cameron Bowie, UK Managing Director, Hapag-Lloyd, said:
“This is a double celebration for us. As we look back over the years, Southampton has always been an important part of our history, providing Hapag-Lloyd with an important port of call in our global shipping network.”