Singapore’s Pacific International Lines is to order four LNG-powered containerships at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, according to shipbuilding sources.
Two shipbuilding sources told LNG Prime on Wednesday that the firms signed a letter of intent for four firm 14,000 TEU LNG-powered vessels.
The final order would follow “very soon,” one source said.
Besides WinGD dual-fuel engines, the vessels would feature GTT’s Mark III membrane system. The tanks would be ammonia-ready as well, the source said.
Also, PIL would pay about $160 million for each of the LNG-powered containerships.
The shipping firm would start taking deliveries of the vessels from Jiangnan in the third quarter of 2024, the source said.
Incorporated in 1967, PIL is the largest carrier in Southeast Asia and is ranked 12th among the world’s top container shipping lines, according to its website.
Together with its sister companies Mariana Express Lines and Advance Container Lines, PIL serves customers at over 500 locations in more than 90 countries worldwide with a fleet of around 100 container and multi-purpose vessels.
The new vessels would be the first LNG-powered containerships to join PIL’s fleet.
Jiangan has vast expertise in building LNG-powered containerships, including four CMA CGM’s giants but also 15,000 TEU ships.
The CSSC-controlled yard is also building LNG-powered PCTCs for UECC and SAIC Anji.