Singapore’s Pacific International Lines is accelerating its fleet renewal programme.
The liner company confirmed it had commissioned China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding to build five LNG dual-fuelled 9,000-teu boxships to be delivered in 2027 and 2028.
News of PIL planning to order the quintet was first reported in TradeWinds in October.
PIL said that this order brings its total newbuilding bookings since 2022 to 18.
It said the new 9,000-teu vessels are designed with highly optimised cargo stowage features which will significantly enhance its service capabilities.
They will also be built to achieve a high level of environmental sustainability.
Bio-methane compatible
“In addition to being LNG powered, the vessels can transition to running on bio-methane, one of the lowest-emission fuels available to the shipping industry today,” PIL said.
PIL chief executive Lars Kastrup said: “With 18 newbuild vessels ordered in the last couple of years, PIL is demonstrating our commitment to renew, expand and modernise our fleet.
“Our aim is to replace up to half our fleet in the next decade with modern new ships and charters.
“These ships are a significant step towards our green shipping goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while increasing operational and cost efficiencies, improving services to our customers as well as enhancing the welfare of our crew.”
PIL did not disclose the cost of the LNG dual-fuelled 9,000-teu newbuildings. But brokers suggested the company is paying slightly more than $140m per ship.
The contract is the second one PIL has signed with Hudong-Zhonghua this year. It ordered five 13,000-teu newbuildings in August.
The LNG dual-fuel container vessels are slated to be delivered between 2026 and 2027, were reported to cost more than $190m each.
