Photo credit: PIL
Pacific International Lines (PIL) has named its first two 14,000 TEU container vessels in a ceremony at Jiangnan Shipyard in China yesterday. The ships are the first two of four of the largest vessels in PIL’s fleet to be delivered as part of the company’s fleet renewal programme and the first to fully run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The first vessel, Kota Eagle was named by Chan Su-Shan, the wife of Dilhan Pillay, CEO of Temasek Holdings, while the second vessel, Kota Emerald was named by Liza Teo, the wife of S.S. Teo, executive chairman of PIL.
Upon their deliveries, Kota Eagle and Kota Emerald will be plying the route from the Far East to Latin America on PIL’s West Coast Central and South America Service 2 route.
Photo credit: PIL
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, added, “Taking delivery of these highly efficient vessels which run on LNG from their maiden voyage is a major milestone in our sustainability journey. They will contribute to reducing our carbon footprint as part of our strategy to transition to net zero emissions by 2050.”
He added, “These were the first dual-fuel LNG container vessels ordered by an Asian container shipping line in 2022. Together with another 11 new dual-fuel ships we have on order, they mark the start of our programme to renew and modernise our fleet. They will complement the existing vessels in our fleet and boost our connectivity around the world to better service customers.”
Photo credit: PIL
PIL noted that the use of digitalisation on the vessels such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), is expected to increase the automation of tasks as well as enable better monitoring and planning of the vessels’ operations and routes through PIL’s Centre for Maritime Efficiency.
The 14,000 TEU vessels have an overall length of 335 metres and a width of 51 metres, whilst they have the flexibility to take on more refrigerated containers.
The two boxships are equipped with GTT’s Mark III LNG containment system and feature a high container intake as well as various energy saving technologies, such as superior hull coatings, an optimised hull form and variable frequency drive motors.
As part of PIL’s brand refresh launched in 2024, PIL’s new vessels will sport an energetic red hull. The company will progressively change the hull colour of all its vessels from black to red.
PIL’s 11 other LNG dual fuel container ships on order include two 14,000 TEU vessels, four 8,000 TEU vessels and five 13,000 TEU vessels, and they will be progressively delivered in the next few years.
