Pacific International Lines (PIL) has marked a major milestone with the naming of Kota Odyssey, the first LNG dual-fuel container vessel to be introduced in Ghana. The ceremony took place at the Port of Tema and highlighted both PIL’s commitment to sustainable shipping and Ghana’s growing role as a regional maritime hub.
The naming was officiated by Ghana’s Vice President, H.E. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who served as the vessel’s godmother. The event also brought together senior government officials including Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe and Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition Richard Gyan-Mensah, underlining national support for greener shipping initiatives.
Kota Odyssey is part of PIL’s new O-Class series and will be deployed on the company’s South West Africa Service (SWS), a weekly loop connecting key ports across China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. The vessel’s introduction is expected to strengthen trade flows between Asia and West Africa while reducing emissions through LNG dual-fuel technology.
Speaking at the ceremony, PIL CEO Lars Kastrup emphasized the significance of the occasion: “The naming of Kota Odyssey in Ghana underscores our sustainability ambitions and reinforces Ghana’s strategic role in PIL’s network as a gateway to West Africa.”
PIL has been active in Africa since the 1970s and today operates an extensive feeder and logistics network across nearly 30 countries and more than 40 ports on the continent. Ghana serves as the headquarters for PIL’s West Africa operations, managing both port and inland transport activities. Approximately 100 Ghanaian seafarers are currently employed on PIL vessels, and the company’s operations in the country are fully powered by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
The arrival of Kota Odyssey marks not only a first for Ghana but also a step forward in sustainable shipping, positioning the nation to play a stronger role in the future of green maritime transport.
