Pacific International Lines (PIL) has ushered in a new era in its maritime journey with an impressive milestone—the official naming of its latest LNG dual-fuel container vessel, the Kota Odyssey. This momentous event took place at the Port of Tema in Ghana, marking PIL’s first vessel naming ceremony in this vibrant West African nation and underlining the company’s enduring commitment to the region.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, who played a pivotal role as the Lady Sponsor by officially naming the vessel. Senior government officials, including Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, and Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, also attended, emphasizing the alignment between PIL’s ambitions and Ghana’s maritime development goals.
During her speech, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang expressed her enthusiasm for the occasion, stating, “This ceremony is a celebration of maritime innovation and a testament to Ghana’s growing stature in regional trade and logistics. PIL has long contributed to strengthening our port and intermodal connectivity. With the deployment of this state-of-the-art vessel, the company is reinforcing trade links between Ghana, Asia, and neighboring countries across West Africa.”
She highlighted the strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Singapore and the shared values in sustainability, innovation, and human capital development. “We welcome PIL’s ongoing investments in job creation and skills development, and we look forward to greater collaboration between our two nations,” she added, showcasing the optimism surrounding this partnership.
The Kota Odyssey is set to operate on PIL’s South West Africa Service (SWS), a direct weekly route linking China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. This service not only enhances connectivity between Asia and West Africa but also positions Ghana as a central logistics hub, improving trade efficiency across the region.
Mr. Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer of PIL, emphasized the significance of naming the vessel in Ghana, stating, “This reflects our deep-rooted presence and growing investment in the country. Ghana is not only a key gateway into West Africa but also a strategic hub for regional and inland connectivity. We are committed to supporting the country’s maritime ambitions and economic development through integrated, sustainable shipping and logistics solutions.”
PIL has established a strong presence on the African continent since the 1970s, operating in over 30 countries with a network of seven weekly services and a feeder network connecting more than 40 ports. Ghana serves as PIL’s West Africa regional head office, functioning as a crucial access point to landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso, thereby enhancing regional trade networks.
Moreover, the company is dedicated to workforce development, employing approximately 100 Ghanaian seafarers across its global fleet. Impressively, PIL’s office operations in Ghana are fully powered by renewable energy, supported through locally sourced Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), exemplifying their commitment to sustainability.
This extraordinary milestone not only marks the naming of the Kota Odyssey but also reflects PIL’s ongoing dedication to developing resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible logistics solutions, poised to serve both African markets and global trade routes effectively.
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