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Regional Container Lines named three new 4,488-TEU container ships in Guangzhou, China, on September 24, 2026
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The ships will serve routes from East Asia to Latin America, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia
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They can plug into shore power at port and are ready to switch to LNG, methanol or ammonia
Thailand-based Regional Container Lines Public Company Limited (RCL) has named three new 4,488-TEU container ships: Anitta Bhum, Benyapar Bhum and Chantisa Bhum. They are the first three of eight ships RCL has ordered to expand its fleet.
The naming ceremony took place on September 24, 2026, at the Longxue Plant of CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, China, RCL said in a statement.
RCL was represented by Dr. Jamlong Atikul, chairman of the board of directors; Sumate Tanthuwanit, chairman of the executive committee; and Dr. Twinchok Tanthuwanit, president. Industry leaders and other stakeholders also attended.
The three ships
Each ship’s name means a “land” of good qualities:
- Anitta Bhum, or “Kindliness Land,” a land of kindness and compassion. It was christened by sponsor Naruemol Wanglee with Petch Wanglee, managing director of Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company Limited.
- Benyapar Bhum, or “Wisdom Land.” It was christened by sponsor Busatree Wanglee with Khem Wanglee, director and managing director (commercial) of SMS Corporation Company Limited.
- Chantisa Bhum, or “Greatness Land.” It was christened by sponsor Ang Siew Lan with Paul Chuah Seong Phaik, chairman of Malaysia’s PCCO Group.
Built for cleaner, more efficient operations
The ships are part of RCL’s eight-vessel 4,488-TEU Project with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
They have energy-saving devices and other systems that improve efficiency and cut sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. With Alternative Maritime Power, they can connect to shore-side electricity while at port instead of running their engines.
The ships are also ready to run on LNG, methanol or ammonia, so RCL can switch to these alternative fuels as they become more widely available.
