Pacific International Lines (PIL) has celebrated a key milestone with the naming ceremony of its latest 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, the Kota Ocean. The event, held at PSA Terminal in Singapore, was timed to coincide with the nation’s 60th anniversary, underscoring PIL’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the maritime industry.
Ms. Ho Ching, Chairman of Temasek Trust, christened the vessel. The Kota Ocean is the sixth LNG dual-fuel vessel in PIL’s fleet and the second of four such ships in the “O” Class series currently being built. These vessels are central to PIL’s strategy for fleet renewal, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Mr. Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, expressed his gratitude and highlighted the vessel’s significance. “We are grateful to Ms. Ho Ching for honoring our company and our crew by naming our vessel, Kota Ocean,” he said. “This naming of Kota Ocean represents a significant milestone in our fleet renewal program, which further enhances our network deployment and operational capabilities to better serve customers. We are delighted to hold the ceremony in Singapore to commemorate SG60, which highlights our ongoing commitment to contributing to Singapore’s maritime industry and future.”
He added, “Kota Ocean is our sixth newbuild LNG dual-fuel vessel delivered and demonstrates our dedication to sustainable shipping. PIL was the first Asian container shipping line to invest in LNG dual-fuel ships in 2022, and we have since ordered 18 new vessels, bringing us closer to our net zero emissions target by 2050, in alignment with Singapore’s net zero goal.”
The Kota Ocean will operate on PIL’s South West Africa service (SWS), connecting the Far East—from China to Singapore—with Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast. This route is expected to strengthen trade links and support economic development across these regions.
Joining its sister vessel, Kota Oasis (delivered in April 2025), and four other 14,000 TEU LNG vessels already in operation, the Kota Ocean is part of a larger fleet expansion. PIL has another 12 vessels on order, including two more 8,200 TEU, five 13,000 TEU, and five 9,000 TEU vessels, all scheduled for delivery over the coming years.
The newbuild vessels are designed to be more environmentally friendly, capable of using greener bio-methane fuels and equipped with engines featuring the latest exhaust recycling technology to significantly reduce methane emissions. They also incorporate features like a full-spade type rudder with a twisted leading edge, a rudder bulb, a pre-swirl stator, and an optimized hydrodynamic hull with superior anti-fouling coatings to improve fuel efficiency.
These state-of-the-art vessels integrate digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to increase task automation, enhance operational efficiency and safety, and enable better monitoring and planning of routes through PIL’s Centre for Maritime Efficiency.
The new vessels are central to PIL’s strategy of growing its network and renewing its fleet to provide efficient and sustainable solutions for customers, partners, and stakeholders.
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