Pacific International Lines (PIL) has marked a significant milestone in its South American operations with the maiden call of its newest 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, at Rio Brasil Terminal (RBT) in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, 2026.
The vessel’s first appearance in South America forms part of PIL’s East Coast Service 1 (ES1), connecting Asia with major destinations along the east coast of South America.
The maiden call was particularly notable as RBT is recognised as the first carbon-neutral port along South America’s east coast. The vessel’s arrival highlights the shared focus of PIL and RBT on advancing lower-carbon and more sustainable maritime operations.
A special ceremony was held on board Kota Elok to commemorate the occasion. Representatives from Rio Brasil Terminal presented a commemorative plaque to Captain Kan Liang, Master of Kota Elok, marking the vessel’s inaugural call and a new chapter in sustainable maritime connectivity between Asia and South America.
Following Rio de Janeiro, Kota Elok will continue its voyage with calls at ports in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina before returning to Asia.
The deployment of the LNG dual-fuel vessel is part of PIL’s broader efforts to expand its greener fleet and support its Future-Focused sustainability strategy. The company said partnerships with environmentally conscious port operators such as RBT are important in driving innovation, greener operations and the transition towards a lower-carbon maritime industry.
The maiden call of Kota Elok at RBT therefore represents more than a new vessel deployment, underscoring the growing importance of sustainable shipping infrastructure and cleaner vessel technologies in strengthening Asia–South America trade connectivity.