THAI government officials have confirmed they are moving forward with their exploration of developing a national shipping line, reports the Bangkok Post.
The decision to move forward with the plans for a national shipping company comes two years after the first reports that thailand was exploring relaunching its shipping industry.
Ten years ago, Thailand disbanded its national shipping line after years of losses, but the government now wants to expand trade. In 2021, they estimated that Thai shipping operations transported less than 10 per cent of the country's goods.
They plan to start with four containerships on eight domestic routes to handle 31,000 TEU annually and contribute about two per cent to Thailand's export and import trade.
The reports in 2021 said the country's Port Authority was working on an initial feasibility study that was to be handed over to the Transport Ministry.
That study was completed outlining possible options for either a fully state-owned operation or possibly forming a public-private partnership.
In 2021, they proposed a private company that would own 51 per cent of the partnership and the focus would be to operate as a domestic feeder transporting goods from around the country to Bangkok for export.
A final decision will be made on the ownership approach although the Port Authority is believed to favour the public-private partnership highlighting that it would be a quicker method to start the operations and easier to administer.
Similar proposals have been put forth in Vietnam which continues to emerge as a major manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. Among the more developed countries, Australia's new government also ordered studies looking to revitalize its national shipping industry.
SeaNews Turkey
The decision to move forward with the plans for a national shipping company comes two years after the first reports that thailand was exploring relaunching its shipping industry.
Ten years ago, Thailand disbanded its national shipping line after years of losses, but the government now wants to expand trade. In 2021, they estimated that Thai shipping operations transported less than 10 per cent of the country's goods.
They plan to start with four containerships on eight domestic routes to handle 31,000 TEU annually and contribute about two per cent to Thailand's export and import trade.
The reports in 2021 said the country's Port Authority was working on an initial feasibility study that was to be handed over to the Transport Ministry.
That study was completed outlining possible options for either a fully state-owned operation or possibly forming a public-private partnership.
In 2021, they proposed a private company that would own 51 per cent of the partnership and the focus would be to operate as a domestic feeder transporting goods from around the country to Bangkok for export.
A final decision will be made on the ownership approach although the Port Authority is believed to favour the public-private partnership highlighting that it would be a quicker method to start the operations and easier to administer.
Similar proposals have been put forth in Vietnam which continues to emerge as a major manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. Among the more developed countries, Australia's new government also ordered studies looking to revitalize its national shipping industry.
SeaNews Turkey
