Regional Container Lines Public Company Limited (RCL) has conducted the naming ceremony for three new 4,488-TEU container vessels — ANITTA BHUM, BENYAPAR BHUM and CHANTISA BHUM — at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.’s Longxue Plant in Guangzhou on September 24, 2026.
The ceremony was attended by RCL Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Jamlong Atikul, Chairman of the Executive Committee Sumate Tanthuwanit and President Dr. Twinchok Tanthuwanit, along with industry leaders and stakeholders.
ANITTA BHUM, meaning “Kindliness Land”, was christened by Mrs Naruemol Wanglee, with Mr Petch Wanglee, Managing Director of Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company Limited. BENYAPAR BHUM, meaning “Wisdom Land”, was christened by Mrs Busatree Wanglee, with Mr Khem Wanglee, Director and Managing Director (Commercial) of SMS Corporation Company Limited. CHANTISA BHUM, meaning “Greatness Land”, was christened by Mrs Ang Siew Lan, with Mr Paul Chuah Seong Phaik, Chairman of PCCO Group, Malaysia.
The three vessels are the first deliveries under RCL’s eight-vessel 4,488-TEU newbuilding programme with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding. The vessels incorporate energy-saving devices and other technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing SOx and NOx emissions. They are also equipped with Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) capabilities, enabling connection to shore-side electricity while in port.
The vessels are designed to be LNG, methanol and ammonia dual-fuel ready, providing flexibility for the adoption of alternative marine fuels as the shipping industry moves towards lower-emission operations.
ANITTA BHUM, delivered on the day of the naming ceremony, will shortly enter RCL’s Far East–Latin America Service (AFL), connecting East Asia with Latin American ports. BENYAPAR BHUM, scheduled for delivery on October 19, will operate on the RCL Far East–Madras Service 2 (RFM2), serving Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. CHANTISA BHUM, scheduled for delivery on November 20, will be deployed on the RCL South China–Indonesia Service (RCI02) linking South China and Southeast Asia.
The latest deliveries form part of RCL’s long-term fleet enhancement strategy, aimed at expanding service capacity, improving operational efficiency and supporting more sustainable container shipping across Asia and beyond.