Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has officially named Pacific International Lines’ (PIL) new 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Odyssey, in a landmark ceremony at the Port of Tema.
The vessel, part of PIL’s “O” Class series, marks a historic first for the company in Ghana and underscores the country’s growing role in regional trade and maritime innovation.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, and Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, reflecting strong national support for sustainable shipping and logistics.
“This ceremony is a celebration of maritime innovation and a testament to Ghana’s growing stature in regional trade and logistics. For their part, PIL’s local and regional offices have long contributed to port and intermodal connectivity. 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 Vice President said.
She added, “This occasion is a sign of the long standing and ever-growing relationship between Ghana and Singapore. Our two nations share a common commitment to innovation and sustainability and people development…We therefore appreciate that PIL highlights our bilateral relationship by creating jobs and supporting the development of local talent. We look forward to even greater collaborations between Ghana and Singapore.”
Kota Odyssey will operate on PIL’s Southwest Africa Service (SWS), connecting China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire on a direct weekly schedule.
The service is expected to strengthen trade flows between Asia and West Africa and reinforce Ghana’s strategic role as a logistics hub.
“Naming this vessel in Ghana reflects our deep-rooted presence and growing investment in the country. Ghana plays a vital role in our network, not only as a key gateway into West Africa but also as a strategic hub for regional connectivity and inland transport,” said Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL.
“This ceremony underscores our commitment to supporting Ghana’s maritime ambitions and contributing to its economic development. As we continue to develop our operations here, we remain focused on delivering sustainable, integrated shipping and logistics solutions that meet the evolving needs of Ghana and the wider African trade landscape.”
PIL has been active in Africa since the 1970s, serving over 30 countries through seven weekly services and a feeder network connecting more than 40 ports. Ghana hosts PIL’s West Africa regional head office and serves as a gateway for inland transport into Burkina Faso.
The company also invests in local talent development, with around 100 Ghanaian seafarers currently serving across its fleet, while its operations in Ghana are fully powered by renewable energy using locally sourced certificates (RECs).
The naming of Kota Odyssey highlights PIL’s commitment to delivering resilient, sustainable, and inclusive shipping and logistics solutions across Africa and beyond.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
