Pacific International Lines (PIL) has celebrated a landmark moment in its maritime journey with the official naming of its latest 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Odyssey, at the Port of Tema. The event marks PIL’s first vessel naming ceremony in Ghana and reflects the company’s long-term commitment to West Africa.
The ceremony was officiated by Her Excellency Ms Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, who served as Lady Sponsor and formally named the vessel Kota Odyssey. Senior government representatives, including Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, and Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, were also in attendance, underlining the strong alignment between PIL’s strategic vision and Ghana’s maritime development priorities.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang stated, “This ceremony is a celebration of maritime innovation and a testament to Ghana’s growing stature in regional trade and logistics. PIL has long contributed to strengthening our port and intermodal connectivity. With the deployment of this state-of-the-art vessel, the company is reinforcing trade links between Ghana, Asia, and neighbouring countries across West Africa.”
She further noted the strengthening bilateral ties between Ghana and Singapore, highlighting common values in sustainability, innovation, and human capital development. “We welcome PIL’s ongoing investments in job creation and skills development, and we look forward to greater collaboration between our two nations,” she said.
The Kota Odyssey will operate on PIL’s South West Africa Service (SWS), a direct weekly route linking China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. This service enhances connectivity between Asia and West Africa while positioning Ghana as a regional logistics hub.
Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer of PIL, emphasised the significance of the occasion. “Naming this vessel in Ghana reflects our deep-rooted presence and growing investment in the country. Ghana is not only a key gateway into West Africa but also a strategic hub for regional and inland connectivity. We are committed to supporting the country’s maritime ambitions and economic development through integrated, sustainable shipping and logistics solutions.”
PIL has been active in Africa since the 1970s and currently operates in over 30 countries on the continent, with seven weekly services and a feeder network connecting more than 40 ports. Ghana hosts PIL’s West Africa regional head office and serves as a critical access point to landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso.
The company also continues to invest in workforce development, with approximately 100 Ghanaian seafarers serving across its global fleet. In Ghana, PIL’s office operations are fully powered by renewable energy, supported through locally sourced Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
This latest milestone reflects PIL’s ongoing commitment to developing resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible logistics solutions that serve both African markets and global trade routes.
