Pacific International Lines (PIL) has shown an acceleration in fleet renewal with the simultaneous christening ceremony of its new 13,000 TEU dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) container vessels. These are the container ships Kota Elok and Kota Elan, whose delivery and naming took place at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai.
The name Kota Elok, meaning “beautiful city” in Malay, reflects both the grace and elegance of the vessel as well as the vibrant ports and communities it will connect. Kota Elan, derived from the word “élan,” represents dynamism, vitality, and a forward drive, symbolizing the vessel’s role in facilitating global trade flows with energy and purpose.
Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., the two vessels are the first in a series of 13 new 13,000 TEU ships designed to elevate PIL’s operational capabilities.
Both vessels, according to the shipping line, are a key part of the company’s fleet renewal strategy, aimed at modernizing its ships, increasing competitiveness, and expanding capacity, while improving efficiency and sustainability.
Kota Elok and Kota Elan will be deployed on PIL’s service connecting Asia and South America, a key trade corridor experiencing strong and sustained growth.
Both vessels are equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulfur fuel oil, enabling significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Their deployment reinforces PIL’s commitment to sustainable shipping and its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, stated that “the christening of Kota Elok and Kota Elan highlights the acceleration of PIL’s path towards modernizing our fleet and strengthening our position on key trade routes. These vessels will allow us to meet growing demand, expand capacity, and offer greater efficiency to our customers.”
“At the same time, they reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability. By investing in dual-fuel LNG technology and advanced ship designs, we are taking significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint and achieve our net-zero emissions goals,” he added.
The vessels incorporate a set of advanced technologies and energy-saving features, including an optimized hull to improve hydrodynamic performance, energy-efficient systems, and high-performance hull coatings that reduce fuel consumption. Both are also equipped with digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, to enhance operational performance and enable greater automation on board.
Kota Elok also features a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions on long-distance voyages.
Beyond operational performance, the vessels have been designed with seafarers in mind, offering a safe, modern, and comfortable environment that promotes the well-being and quality of life of the crew, PIL emphasized.
