Regional Container Lines Public Company Limited (RCL) has held the naming ceremony for its three latest container vessels, ANITTA BHUM, BENYAPAR BHUM and CHANTISA BHUM, at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.’s Longxue Plant in Guangzhou, China, on 24 September 2026.
The ceremony was distinguished by RCL’s senior leadership, Dr. Jamlong Atikul, Chairman of the Board of Directors, including Mr. Sumate Tanthuwanit, Chairman of the Executive Committee of RCL, and Dr. Twinchok Tanthuwanit, President of RCL, alongside prominent industry leaders and stakeholders.The ANITTA BHUM, which translates to "Kindliness Land", a land of kindness and compassion, was christened bysponsor lady Mrs Naruemol Wangleewith Mr Petch Wanglee, Managing Director of Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company Limited.BENYAPAR BHUM, which translates to "Wisdom Land", was christened by sponsor lady Mrs Busatree Wanglee with Mr Khem Wanglee, Director & Managing Director (Commercial) of SMS Corporation Company Limited.CHANTISA BHUM, which translates to “Greatness Land”, was christened by sponsor lady Mrs Ang Siew Lan with Mr Paul Chuah Seong Phaik Chairman of the PCCO Group, Malaysia.
These ships mark the first three deliveries in a major fleet expansion order of eight high-specification vessels under the 4,488-TEU Project with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.
The vessels are equipped with a range of technologies, such as Energy Saving Devices (ESD) and other systems, designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) capabilities, allowing them to connect to shore-side electricity while at port. In addition, the vessels are LNG/methanol/ammonia dual-fuel ready, providing the flexibility to adopt alternative marine fuels.
Together, these features reflect RCL's continued investment in more efficient, environmentally conscious and future-ready vessels.
Following the successful ceremony, the three vessels are scheduled to reinforce RCL's regional network connectivity soon. Delivered on the day of this naming ceremony, ANITTA BHUM will shortly set sail from Shanghai, entering the RCL FAR EAST LATIN AMERICA SERVICE (AFL) route and linking ports from East Asia to Latin America.
Meanwhile, BENYAPAR BHUM, to be delivered on 19 October 2026, is slated to cover the RCL FAR EAST - MADRAS SERVICE 2 (RFM2), with coverage for through Asia and the India Subcontinent. CHANTISA BHUM, to be delivered on 20 November 2026, will next be covering the RCL SOUTH CHINA INDONESIA SERVICE (RCI02), linking South China to ports in Southeast Asia.
The delivery of the 4,488-TEU vessels underscores RCL’s commitment to investing in future-ready vessels as part of its long-term fleet enhancement strategy. Through this continued investment, RCL remains committed to strengthening its service capabilities, enhancing RCL’s operations and supporting more sustainable maritime transportation across the Asia region and beyond.
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