PIL unit sees rise in business
Pacific International Lines (HK) (PIL) expects to see its business volume increase by 20 to 30 per cent this year.
The Singapore Business Times reported that Teo Tiou Seng, PIL HK managing director, said the company handled 15,000 20-foot equivalent units (teus) last year.
PIL HK acts as the agent for various various shipping lines. Its two main principals are parent Pacific International Lines of Singapore and the group's feeder arm Advance Container Line. The group offers services through Hong Kong which go to Japan, the Red Sea, East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
This year the group expanded its Japan service to a weekly sailing. Previously, it was offered on the basis of three sailings a month. Mr Teo said: 'We expect the volume of cargo through Hong Kong to increase.
'If competition was not so keen, three sailings a month would still be acceptable. But shippers and consignees prefer to have a weekly service at the minimum.' Container volumes through Hong Kong were expected to increase because of this rise in sailing frequency. Mr Teo said there were no plans to expand PIL HK's workforce of 40.
When PIL (HK) was established in April 1969, it had a staff of 10. Parent PIL was formed in March 1967. The group has a fleet of about 55 vessels. PIL plans to enhance its Singapore-Red Sea service, from three times a month to a weekly sailing in the third quarter of this year.
Apart from PIL and ACL, PIL (HK) also serves Tran Pac of Hong Kong and Manila-based Maritima Container Line.
Another company in the PIL stable - Singamas Container Holdings - is a container manufacturing and container depot group, which is listed in Hong Kong and Singapore.
