PACIFIC International Lines has launched the fourth in its ‘O’ class series of 8200 TEU LNG dual container ships, naming Kota Orkid in honour of the national flower of Singapore, PIL’s home country.
Launched on 28 October at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Yard at Jiangsu, China, Kota Orkid joins Kota Oasis, Kota Ocean and Kota Odyssey in PIL’s fleet and will be assigned to the line’s Asia – South West Africa service.
Reflecting on the line’s rapid growth, PIL executive chairman SS Teo noted that Kota Orkid was PIL’s eighth new ship in the past year alone. “As we grow our LNG-powered fleet, we are not only investing in capacity and technology but also in greener shipping,” Mr Teo said.
The LNG dual fuel engines powering the ‘O’ class vessels can also run on bio-methane fuels, significantly reducing methane emissions. The ships’ hydrodynamic hulls are treated with anti-fouling coatings to improve fuel efficiency.
Established in 1967, PIL operates a fleet of about 100 container vessels servicing customers in more than 90 countries worldwide, including Australia.