PIL orders five more LNG-dual fuel container ships

Just a week after its first LNG dual fuel container ship, the Kota Eagle, went into service Singapore-headquartered PIL, its added five more to bring its newbuilding order tally to 18 vessels since 2022.

The five latest 9,000 teu capacity vessels are due to be delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua in 2027 and 2028.  Earlier this year in August, PIL had also ordered five LNG dual-fuel container vessels with 13,000 teu capacity from the Chinese yard.

Unlike many other container ship owners that have split alternative fuel orders between LNG and methanol dual-fuel PIL has opted solely for LNG so far. LNG is still a fossil fuel but has the advantage of being available at scale today, while the supply chain for green methanol, which will give much greater emissions gains, is still in the early stages of development. In future e-methane and synthetic methane could offer higher emission reductions for LNG dual-fuel vessels.

“With 18 newbuild vessels ordered in the last couple of years, PIL is demonstrating our commitment to renew, expand and modernise our fleet,” said Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL.

 “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.”

Related:First LNG bunkering for PIL in Shanghai

To further reduce emissions the newbuilds will feature energy-saving features such as a streamlined hull-form, variable-frequency drive (VFD) motors, shaft generators, LED lighting, and improved hull coatings.

Apart the five newly ordered vessels has three 14,000 teu,  four 8,000 teu, and five 13,000 teu capacity vessels to be delivered from this year onwards.