Pacific International Lines (PIL) has placed an order for seven new 1,400 TEU container vessels with Huanghai Shipbuilding in China, as part of its ongoing fleet renewal and expansion programme.
The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2030. Huanghai Shipbuilding was selected by PIL for its technical capabilities, experience and ability to meet PIL’s requirements for quality, efficiency and delivery.
The methanol-ready vessels support PIL’s decarbonisation journey, positioning it to adopt lower-emission fuels as the availability and infrastructure for such fuels develop.
The vessels will incorporate energy-saving features including pre-swirl vanes and propeller boss cap fins to improve propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. They will also feature enhanced cargo safety systems, including fixed fire water monitors and cargo hold water spray systems to strengthen firefighting capabilities onboard.
The new vessels will enhance PIL’s network capabilities and operational efficiency, particularly on its Intra-Asia and Pacific Islands services. Their dimensions and design have been specially customised, with a length of 172 metres and width of 25 metres, to maximise vessel size for PIL’s target regional markets, while providing flexibility to connect smaller ports with key transhipment hubs across its network.
Mr Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, said, “Investing in these new feeder vessels will strengthen our capabilities and capacity across the Intra-Asia and Pacific Islands network. These ships, equipped with energy-saving technologies and designed to be methanol-ready, will further optimise our operations while supporting our goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Together with modern technological features and digital capabilities to support more efficient vessel operations and performance monitoring, they will enable us to provide our customers with wider services and sustainable shipping solutions.”