TUESDAY, March 19, 2024
nationthailand

RCL launches new Bt1-bn container vessel as part of 10% growth target this year

RCL launches new Bt1-bn container vessel as part of 10% growth target this year

Regional Container Lines Public Co Ltd (RCL), a Thailand-based container shipping line that has been in business for over four decades, has expanded its fleet by adding a new Bt1-billion vessel with world-class innovations that comply with the standards set by the International Maritime Organisation.

The company operates five core business units, namely ship ownership, ship operations, ship management, value-added logistics services and port operation both in Bangkok and Laem Chabang. The company is also collaborating with its subsidiaries to provide a broad range of services such as container freight stations, trucking, warehouse and distribution centres, container yard and inland container depots to name a few. 
Twinchok Tanthuwanit, RCL’s SVP for the region and business development, said his company is currently the only Thai shipping service operator that has its own vessels and containers, and provides fully integrated logistics services. The company currently has 48 vessels in its fleet with two new vessels recently added. 
“Today [Thursday], the third vessel has been delivered and one more will come later in the year, all of which will carry the Thai flag,” he said. 
“RCL’s shipping business covers all of Asia, including the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East. We have more than 40 regular shipping routes and can deliver cargo to more than 60 major destinations. We are considered one of the only Thai companies to have achieved international standards on par with major shipping lines from China, Japan, South Korea and Europe, who are also covering these regions.” 
Twinchok added that RCL is expected to generate around Bt17 billion in revenue this year and that it has already achieved approximately Bt4.2 billion in the first quarter, representing an 11-per-cent growth versus last year. He said the company is confident its revenue in the second half of this year will continue to grow and meet the 8 to 10 per cent target by year end. 
Apart from expanding its fleet, RCL has also brought in modern innovations and technologies, such as a robotic system, machine learning, business intelligence and a Big Data system to boost customer satisfaction, reduce errors as well as improve cost efficiency. 
“We realise that the world is changing very rapidly as is market competition. Every company has to continue improving, so we can’t stand still. Over the past two or three years, global cargo growth has been fluctuating due to hard-to-predict economic conditions and geopolitical situations worldwide. We can say our business has continued to grow despite such turbulence. The company is also preparing for digital disruption by bringing in new technology to improve our efficiency,” he added. 
He added that positive growth is projected in the shipping business, particularly within Asia, for the next five years.

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