November
Prima Marine Public Company PRM
Prima Marine Public Company Limited (“PRM”), a service provider for transporting and storing petroleum products. Thailand’s largest marine liquid petrochemicals transporter revealed that in the third quarter of 2022, the company was able to generate substantial growth. Total income is 2,149.7 million baht, an increase of 39.35% and a net profit of 1,085.7 million baht, an increase of 122.98% compared to the same period last year. This reflects the potential of PRM as an nation’s industry leader with a strong portfolio of diversified fleets.
Nov 14 Press-release
Regional Container Lines RCL
Regional Container Lines (RCL) acquired two new built large vessels of 12,000 TEUs each.
02 Nov 2022
RCL received two new large vessels of 12,000 TEUs each, expanding the fleet and enhancing RCL’s business capabilities.
On October 21, 2022, RCL Public Company Limited, a renowned Thai marine group, led by Dr. Jamlong Atikul, the Chairman along with its management, inaugurated the naming ceremony of both the new vessels, Santi Bhum and Thanya Bhum. Both of which were ordered from Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a major shipbuilding company. in Japan at the Hiroshima Shipyard, Japan.
The two new vessels, Santi Bhum and Thanya Bhum are the largest of RCL’s fleet, measuring 12,000 TEUs, 333.90 meters in length. With a price tag of 115 million US dollars or 4,409 million baht each, the total price of these two vessels is 8,818 million baht.
The SANTI BHUM and THANYA BHUM have since clinched a lease agreement with Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. for a period of 5 years.
Coastal container ship capsized, sank in Gulf of Siam
November 3, 2022
Container ship SUNTUDSAMUT 4 with 42 containers on board capsized and sank at around 0200 LT (UTC +8) Nov 3, 4.8 nm off Sai Ri Sawi Beach, Chumphon Province, Thailand, Gulf of Siam. The ship left Surat Thani at around midnight Nov 2, bound for Laem Chabang, but developed list. Ballast management didn’t help, list was increasing until Captain ordered the crew to abandon the ship. all 10 crew were rescued by nearby fishing boats, alerted by Chumphon authorities. The ship reportedly, sank by stern. Containers are said to be loaded with timber.
Container ship SUNTUDSAMUT 4, IMO 8735924, dwt 2890, built 1995, flag Thailand.
October
Development of Thailand’s EEC in alignment with APEC aspirations
24 Oct 2022
A key element of Thai Government cooperation in APEC is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The EEC, built on successful development of the Eastern Seaboard, is an essential component of the Thailand 4.0 strategy, aiming to transform the economy into one based on innovation and value, equipped with the infrastructure and human resources to compete on the global stage.
The corridor is being propelled by three main endeavours.
The first is an upgrading of Thailand’s transport and logistics infrastructure establishing the EEC as a connected focal point within the Asia-Pacific.
Second, is the creation of areas of concentration for investment in “New S-Curve” industries such as a space geared specifically towards innovation.
The third is endowing the corridor with sustainable economic and social development through the adoption of environmentally-friendly technologies.
At the heart of the EEC, however, are 12 industries being given targeted support after being deemed essential to realising the next evolution of the Thai economy. These industries are automobiles, smart electronics, medicine and wellness, agriculture and biotechnology, food, industrial robotics, logistics and aviation, biofuels and biochemical, digital technology, medical services, defence and education.
Comment: The third endeavour will ruin first two and might well bury all the economy. Technologies are either economy viable, effective and safe, or “environmentally-friendly” disaster.
Committee forecasts at least 3% GDP uptick Growth driven by recovery of tourism
6 Oct 2022, Bangkok Post
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has inched up its 2022 GDP forecast, expecting the economy to grow by at least 3%, driven by the gradual recovery of the tourism. industry. The new projection ranges from 3-3.5%, compared with a 2.75-3.5% estimate made last month, as the economy continues to grow.
The JSCCIB expects inflation to stand at 6-6.5% this year, up from a range of 5.5-7% predicted earlier, partly because of the impact of the weaker baht. The export sector is anticipated to grow by 7-8%, up from an earlier estimate of 6-8%.
High energy prices, which are also blamed for driving up inflation, will continue to affect businesses while Russia and Ukraine battle, said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.
Global crude oil prices are below US$100 per barrel, but inflation in Thailand remains high because of baht depreciation, said Mr Kriengkrai. This causes the country to pay more to import raw materials.
Container ship struck cargo barge under tow, barge sank, Bangkok VIDEO
October 11, 2022
Container ship VASI STAR collided with towed barge loaded with coiled steel sheets, at around 0710 LT (UTC +7) Oct 11, at Bangkok approach channel near red buoy No. 23, Samut Prakan waters, while proceeding to Bangkok, in poor visibility. Tug WIMONWAN 8 was towing 4 barges, one of them, Maha Nakhon 2, was hit by container ship, and sank. Tug with barges was also proceeding to Bangkok, from Koh Si Chang Anchorage near Laem Chabang. No casualties, no injures reported. VASI STAR resumed moving shortly after collision, and berthed at Bangkok at 1030 LT same day.
Container ship VASI STAR, IMO 9105994, dwt 23064, capacity 1728 TEU, built 1996, flag Liberia, manager VASI STAR PTE LTD, Singapore.
Tanker stopped meters off riverside restaurant, Bangkok VIDEO
October 10, 2022
Product tanker SMOOTH SEA 18 at around 1800 LT Oct 8 lost control in Chao Phraya river in Samut Prakan, Bangkok, while proceeding upstream in full load to an oil terminal. Tanker strayed off course after she had to pass clear of tug towing barges downstream. To avoid grounding, tanker had to drop anchor and reverse engine to full astern. She managed to stop being very close to embankment and riverside restaurant, scaring off diners. Later tanker safely reached destination, after offloading cargo she left Bangkok, bound for Sri Racha, Chonburi.
Product tanker SMOOTH SEA 18, IMO 8684888, dwt 7450, built 2014, flag Thailand, manager SMOOTH SEA CO LTD, Bangkok.
