Bangkok-headquartered Regional Container Lines (RCL) has named three new 4,488-TEU containerships built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in China, marking another step in the regional carrier’s rapid fleet expansion.
The Annita Bhum, Benyapar Bhum and Chantisa Bhum were officially named on 24 September at the shipbuilder’s Longxue Yard in Guangzhou.
The ceremony brought together RCL’s senior leadership, including Dr. Jamlong Atikul, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Sumate Tanthuwanit, Chairman of the Executive Committee; and Dr. Twinchok Tanthuwanit, President of RCL, alongside industry guests and other stakeholders.
The three vessels are the first units in a series of eight container ships that RCL is currently having built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
According to shipping analyst Alphaliner, RCL is currently the world’s 23rd-largest container line, operating 32 vessels with a combined capacity of 91,433 TEU.
That fleet is set to expand dramatically. RCL has 28 additional newbuildings on order, representing a total capacity of 143,852 TEU. Once delivered, the new vessels will increase the company’s capacity by 157.3% compared with its existing fleet.
The latest trio named in China will begin joining the RCL fleet later this year, with deployments already scheduled across the carrier’s regional and long-haul services.
The Annita Bhum will enter RCL’s Far East Latin America service at Shanghai on 19 October. On the same date, the Benyapar Bhum will be introduced into the Far East Madras 2 service, also from Shanghai.
The third vessel, Chantisa Bhum, is scheduled to join RCL’s South China Indonesia service on 20 November.
The new deliveries underline the scale of RCL’s fleet renewal and capacity growth strategy as the company continues to expand its presence across key container shipping markets.
