Singapore-based shipowner Pacific International Lines (PIL) has finalized shipyards for eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel-powered Neo-Panamax container vessels, with a total value exceeding US$1.5 billion.
According to TradeWinds, PIL plans to sign contracts with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of four 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel Neo-Panamax container vessels. The delivery dates and costs have not yet been finalized.
Industry experts estimate that the cost of each new vessel will be approximately US$190 million, with construction expected to begin between the end of 2028 and the beginning of 2029. Based on this, the total cost of the eight large dual-fuel container vessels will exceed US$1.5 billion.
To comply with maritime environmental regulations, PIL is actively advancing the conversion of vessel specifications to LNG dual-fuel propulsion. Consequently, this new fleet will be equipped with LNG dual-fuel propulsion systems, making them environmentally friendly vessels.
As early as November 2025, industry rumors circulated that PIL intended to order up to eight Neo-Panamax container vessels, having previously evaluated multiple shipyards in China and South Korea for this purpose. South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, along with several Chinese shipyards including Hudong-Zhonghua, were all listed as candidates by PIL. According to the latest reports, Hudong-Zhonghua and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have emerged victorious from the competitive bidding process.
It is worth noting that PIL previously preferred to choose Chinese shipyards for shipbuilding, and its cooperation with South Korean shipyards dates back to 2011, spanning nearly 15 years. Its latest shipbuilding project involves cooperation with shipyards in both China and South Korea, reportedly to ensure timely delivery and commissioning of the vessels.
According to Clarkson data, PIL currently has five 13,000 TEU-class and seven 9,000 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel container vessels under construction, all being built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. Among these, contracts for five 13,000 TEU-class vessels and five 9,000 TEU-class vessels were signed in August and November 2024, respectively.
According to publicly available information from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, the first 9,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel for PIL commenced construction on November 17, 2025. This type of vessel is an environmentally friendly container vessel independently developed and designed by Hudong-Zhonghua, specifically tailored to the operational characteristics of PIL. It is also the third actual ship project of Hudong-Zhonghua’s self-designed Type-B LNG tank.
This vessel has an overall length of approximately 274 meters and a beam of 45.6 meters. It boasts a maximum container capacity of 9,040 TEU and can carry 1,308 refrigerated containers. Equipped with an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system and featuring a 7,600m³ Type B LNG fuel tank independently developed by Hudong-Zhonghua, it ensures a range of 13,000 nautical miles in gas mode.
The first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel was laid keel around November 2025. This vessel type, independently developed and designed by Hudong-Zhonghua, measures 335 meters in length overall, 51 meters in beam, and 27.2 meters in depth. It boasts a maximum container capacity of 13,000 TEU and can carry 2,200 refrigerated containers. Equipped with an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system and featuring Hudong-Zhonghua’s independently developed 12,000m³ Type B LNG fuel tanks, it ensures an exceptional range of 22,000 nautical miles in gas mode.
Shipping data indicates that PIL currently ranks 12th among global liner shipping companies. Its fleet comprises 100 vessels, of which 82 are owned by the company, with the remainder being chartered.