Pacific International Lines (PIL) has held a twin naming ceremony for its first two 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessels, Kota Elok and Kota Elan, at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard. Deployed on the high-growth Asia-South America corridor, the highly automated ships incorporate AI, IoT, and aerodynamic bow windshields to significantly reduce fuel burn and accelerate PIL’s 2050 net-zero roadmap.
Singapore, China | June 23, 2026 – Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) has marked a major milestone in its multi-vessel decarbonization strategy, holding a dual naming ceremony for its latest 13,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels, Kota Elok and Kota Elan.
The ceremony, held at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, celebrates the completion of the first two sister ships in a massive 13-vessel newbuilding series designed to scale up PIL’s network efficiency, capacity, and emission-reduction capabilities across key global trading lanes.
Strategic Deployment on High-Growth Asia-South America Corridor
Both newbuildings are slated for immediate deployment on PIL’s service network connecting East Asia to South America. According to PIL, this core trade corridor continues to display strong and sustained volume growth. The addition of the 13,000 TEU vessels will allow the carrier to accommodate rising container demand while lowering per-TEU slot costs across its network.
The ships’ naming conventions reflect their operational roles:
- Kota Elok: Translates to “beautiful city” in Malay, representing the vibrant port communities the vessel will interlink.
- Kota Elan: Derived from the French word for dynamism and forward momentum (élan), symbolizing the energetic flow of international trade.
Ceremony Dignitaries
The event drew senior leadership from across the global maritime, banking, and manufacturing sectors:
- Ms Chan Wai Ching (Chief Corporate Officer of Temasek International) served as the official godmother naming Kota Elok.
- Ms Yan Zi (Olympic tennis bronze medalist, Grand Slam champion, and wife of Xinyi Glass Executive Director Lee Shing Kan) officially named Kota Elan.
- Executive attendance included Lars Kastrup (CEO, PIL), Eng Aik Meng (Board Director, PIL), Chen Jianliang (Chairman, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group), and Li Wucheng (Director, Shandong Port Group Container Operations Centre).
Dual-Fuel Capabilities and Aerodynamic Enhancements
From a technical and marine fuel perspective, both vessels are fully equipped to run on LNG or conventional low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO). Operating primarily on LNG provides PIL with an immediate, proven mechanism to slash greenhouse gas emissions as the carrier works toward its ultimate target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, emphasized the significance of the dual-fuel technology investment:
“The naming of Kota Elok and Kota Elan highlights the acceleration in PIL’s journey to modernise our fleet and strengthen our position in key trade lanes. By investing in LNG dual-fuel technology and advanced vessel designs, we are taking meaningful steps towards reducing our carbon footprint and delivering greater efficiency for our customers.”
To achieve these efficiencies, the vessels leverage an optimized hull form to minimize hydrodynamic resistance, premium anti-fouling hull coatings, and integrated AI and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to optimize real-time routeing and automation onboard. Notably, Kota Elok has also been constructed with a prominent bow windshield, an aerodynamic feature engineered to cut fuel consumption on long-haul oceanic crossings by reducing wind resistance.
About Pacific International Lines (PIL)
Ranked among the top 12 container shipping lines globally, Pacific International Lines (PIL) was established in Singapore in 1967 and stands as Southeast Asia’s largest homegrown carrier. Operating a fleet of roughly 100 container ships, PIL serves over 500 locations across 90 countries, specializing in core trade routes through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania.
The carrier provides end-to-end multi-modal logistics, container manufacturing, and specialized cargo solutions, including refrigerated, breakbulk, and project transport, backed by a future-focused, data-driven approach to global trade connectivity.
Source: PIL