Pacific International Lines takes delivery of LNG-fuelled containership Kota Elan, enhancing its fleet for the growing Asia-South America trade route.
Pacific International Lines (PIL), the Singapore-based carrier ranked 12th among global container operators with a fleet capacity of 459,136 TEU according to Alphaliner, took delivery of its new containership 'Kota Elan' on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The 13,000 TEU vessel was built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Kota Elan and her sister ship, Kota Elok, were formally named in a ceremony in June 2026.
Both vessels will be deployed on PIL's service connecting Asia and South America, a trade corridor the company describes as experiencing strong and sustained growth. The route is a significant lane within PIL's network, which spans an owned and chartered fleet of more than 100 ships.
The two ships are equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as low-sulfur fuel oil, a dual-fuel capability that PIL says allows for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The design reflects wider efforts across the container shipping sector to meet tightening environmental regulations while maintaining reliable service on long-haul trades.
Each vessel also carries a suite of energy-saving features intended to lower fuel consumption. These include an optimized hull form designed to improve hydrodynamic performance, energy-efficient onboard systems, and specialized hull coatings that reduce drag.
In addition, both ships are fitted with digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities. According to PIL, these systems are intended to enhance operational performance and enable greater automation on board.
The delivery adds newbuilding capacity to PIL's fleet as the carrier continues to renew its tonnage and support demand on the Asia-South America corridor.
