Singapore, October 28, 2025 – Pacific International Lines (PIL) has marked a significant milestone in its green fleet transformation with the naming of Kota Orkid, the fourth vessel in its series of 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel ‘O’ Class container ships.
The naming ceremony was held at the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding yard in Jiangsu, China, with Lady Sponsor Mrs. Annie Yap, wife of PIL Board Director Mr. Yap Chee Keong, officially christening the vessel. Inspired by Singapore’s national flower, Kota Orkid symbolizes resilience, elegance, and progress, reflecting PIL’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision.
Kota Orkid will join her sister ‘O’ Class vessels – Kota Oasis, Kota Ocean, and Kota Odyssey – on PIL’s South West Africa Service (SWS), strengthening trade connectivity between Asia and West Africa. This addition reinforces PIL’s commitment to reliable, flexible, and efficient global shipping services, expanding capacity on a key international route.
“The naming of our eighth newbuild vessel in the last year represents another step forward in our fleet expansion and renewal strategy,” said Mr. S.S. Teo, Executive Chairman of PIL. “As we grow our LNG-powered fleet, we are investing not only in capacity and advanced technology but also in greener shipping. Kota Orkid will play a vital role in enhancing our service offerings and delivering greater value to our customers.”
Driving Innovation and Sustainability
Kota Orkid is PIL’s eighth LNG-powered vessel to enter service. This year alone, PIL has welcomed four 8,200 TEU ‘O’ Class LNG dual-fuel vessels, alongside four 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels delivered since 2024. The company also has 12 LNG dual-fuel vessels on order, including five 13,000 TEU and seven 9,000 TEU ships, scheduled for delivery in the coming years.
Mr. Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, highlighted the company’s sustainability drive: “Kota Orkid demonstrates how PIL’s fleet is becoming cleaner, smarter, and more efficient. By embracing greener fuels and leveraging advanced technology and digital systems, we ensure PIL remains sustainable, resilient, and future-focused to meet the evolving demands of global trade with agility and innovation.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art engines, Kota Orkid offers significant reductions in methane emissions and the flexibility to operate on bio-methane fuels. Its hydrodynamic hull design and advanced anti-fouling coatings enhance fuel efficiency, contributing to PIL’s goal of reducing the environmental impact of global shipping.
A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
The introduction of Kota Orkid underscores PIL’s steady progress toward a sustainable and technologically advanced fleet. The vessel embodies PIL’s strategy of combining capacity growth, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility, positioning the company to meet future trade demands while reducing its carbon footprint.
About Pacific International Lines (PIL)
Founded in Singapore in 1967, Pacific International Lines (PIL) ranks among the top 12 container shipping lines globally and is the largest home-grown carrier in Southeast Asia. Operating in over 500 locations worldwide, PIL focuses on Asia, China, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Oceania, and the Pacific Islands.
With a fleet of approximately 100+ container vessels, PIL provides comprehensive shipping services across more than 90 countries, specializing in dry, refrigerated, breakbulk, and special cargo. Leveraging a network of owned agencies and intermodal services, PIL delivers end-to-end transportation solutions that create value for customers.
PIL maintains a people-centric approach, prioritizing customer needs through expertise, technology, and sustainable shipping solutions. The company is committed to positively impacting communities while driving innovation in global trade.
Source Pacific International Lines