PIL celebrates SG60 with first SG60 container ship and specially designed containers for National Day Parade
Pacific International Lines (PIL), Singapore’s home-grown shipping line, proudly celebrated the nation’s 60th year of independence with the first SG60 Container Ship and specially designed containers sponsored for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) held last week (August 9).
PIL has unveiled the first container ship to bear the SG60 logo on the hull of its newly built 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel, Kota Ocean. The naming ceremony of the vessel was held in Singapore in June 2025 for the first time in PIL’s history, marking a symbolic departure from the tradition of christening vessels at shipyards. The energy efficient vessel represents greener energy for the future of shipping.
As part of its continued support for NDP, PIL is also sponsoring 100 specially-designed containers for the 2025 celebration – marking a decade of container sponsorship. Deployed across key NDP sites including the Padang, Esplanade, and Empress Lawn, these containers will support essential logistics. After NDP, they will continue their journey across the globe, proudly displaying Singapore’s SG60 milestone along PIL’s international routes.
Mr S.S. Teo, Executive Chairman of PIL, said: “We are proud to mark Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee with a vessel and container design that reflects our national pride. These symbols will carry Singapore’s story across the seas for years to come. While PIL has grown globally throughout the years, we’ve remained true to our Singapore roots with a steadfast commitment to strengthening Singapore’s connectivity with the rest of the world.”
Mr Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, added: “As a Principal Sponsor of NDP 2025, we resonate deeply with this year’s theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Together’. PIL has grown alongside Singapore for nearly six decades, and we remain committed to contributing to Singapore’s maritime industry and future.”
Founded in 1967, PIL has grown hand-in-hand with Singapore’s remarkable transformation. Today, over half of its global services call at Singapore, reinforcing the nation’s position as a leading maritime hub. As Singapore commemorates SG60, PIL reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the nation’s continued success as a global maritime leader.