Pacific International Lines (PIL) marked a significant milestone with the naming ceremony of its first LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Odyssey, at the Port of Tema in Ghana. The event took place with the presence of Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who served as the Lady Sponsor, along with key figures such as Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, and Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition. The Vice President emphasized that this ceremony represents maritime innovation and reflects Ghana’s rising profile in regional trade and logistics.
She highlighted the importance of PIL’s contributions to port connectivity and the strengthening of trade relationships with Asia and neighboring West African countries. The vessel will operate on PIL’s Southwest Africa Service, facilitating direct weekly connections between China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, thereby enhancing trade flows and reinforcing Ghana’s strategic role as a logistics hub.
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, noted that the naming of the vessel in Ghana underscores the company’s deep-rooted presence and commitment to the country’s maritime ambitions and economic development. PIL, which has been active in Africa since the 1970s, currently serves over 30 African nations and operates entirely on renewable energy in Ghana. This ceremony reaffirms PIL’s dedication to providing sustainable and inclusive shipping and logistics solutions across the continent.