PIL orders five LNG-dual fuel container ships in China

The neo-panamax newbuildings are due for delivery from end-2026 and in common with many other recent orders PIL has opted for LNG dual-fuel propulsion.

LNG dual-fuel has enjoyed a resurgence with recent orders by container ship owners as concerns grow about the availability of green methanol for the methanol dual-fuel newbuildings already on order.

Seaspan recently revealed orders for 27 vessels, of which 23 were LNG dual-fuel, while Maersk is set to order its first LNG dual-fuelled tonnage in an apparent u-turn as the Danish line hedges its bets having been a pioneer for methanol dual-fuelled box ships.

The new orders from PIL add to four 14,000 teu and four 8,200 teu LNG dual-fuel container ships it currently has on order.

Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL said, “These latest orders are part of PIL’s fleet renewal strategy for larger and more eco-friendly vessel types. Together with another eight vessels we currently have under construction, we now have 13 new vessels that will contribute significantly towards our decarbonisation goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”

As well as dual-fuel propulsion the vessels will incorporate an optimised hull-form, variable-frequency drive (VFD) motors for larger pumps and ventilation blowers, lower-energy LED lightings as well as premium hull coatings.

Related:Seaspan orders 27 dual-fuel container ships

Kastrup said the new vessels will have a high reefer payload capacity.

The first two 14,000 teu LNG dual-fuelled vessels PIL has on order are due to be delivered later this year.