Singapore’s Pacific International Lines (PIL) has held the naming ceremony for its latest 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel at the Port of Tema, marking the first such launch in Ghana.
The ship, part of PIL’s new “O” Class series, was officially named Kota Odyssey by Ghana’s Vice President, Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who served as Lady Sponsor.
The event was attended by Transport Minister Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe and Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, underlining government support for sustainable shipping.
“This ceremony is a celebration of maritime innovation and a testament to Ghana’s growing stature in regional trade and logistics,” Vice President Opoku-Agyemang said. “Today, with the deployment of this state-of-the-art vessel to service Ghana, PIL is playing a further role in building our trade links with Asia and our neighbours across West Africa.”
The Kota Odyssey will operate on PIL’s South West Africa Service, linking China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire via a direct weekly service.
“Naming this vessel in Ghana reflects our deep-rooted presence and growing investment in the country,” said Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL.
PIL has been active in Africa since the 1970s and today serves more than 30 countries with seven weekly services. Ghana hosts the company’s West Africa regional head office, where its operations are powered entirely by renewable energy certificates sourced locally.
