This year, the Thoresen Group celebrates the 100th anniversary
of its office in Hong Kong. Thoresen started in Hong Kong as
shipping agents for Norwegian companies trading on the coast
of China and subsequently, in Siam.
Thoresen’s presence in Thailand dates back from 1926, when
a branch office was established to serve the expanding trade
of its principals. In 1974, the company was formally registered
in Thailand as Thoresen & Co., (Bangkok) Ltd., which is
still a part of the
group today.
Today, the Thoresen Group is Thailand’s leading ship owner
and a fully integrated logistics group, providing the widest
range of shipping services available.
Thoresen and Thailand
In 1985, Thoresen & Co., (Bangkok) Ltd. purchased its
first vessel “Hai Lee”, with the financial assistance of Thai
banks. The vessels flew the Thai flag – representing the start
of Thoresen’s commitment and focus on Thailand as a shipowner
and shipping service provider.
Today, the Thoresen Group is firmly established in Thailand.
It is listed on
The Stock Exchange of Thailand and is the kingdom’s leading
national flag carrier.
The fleet currently comprises 43 vessels
(as of June 2004), totalling over one million deadweight tonnes
(DWT) of trade worldwide. All vessels, manned by a crew of
over 1,500 Thai officers and crew, proudly fly the Thai flag.
The Thoresen fleet enjoys a good reputation in international
markets and this is a testament to the high standards of the
Merchant Training Centre and other institutions with whom
Thoresen works closely.
Ashore, the group has some 500 permanent staff in its agency
and shipping service subsidiaries and employs a further 600
temporary staff in its light engineering and stevedoring subsidiaries.
Thoresen works closely with training establishments and provides
continuous internal training programmes, for English language
tuition and specialised skills,
such as underwater welding at Mermaid Maritime’s facilities
in Laem Chabang.
Shipping operations
The shipping operations are carried out by Thoresen &
Co., (Bangkok) Ltd., the group’s first company in Thailand.
Thoresen is primarily a liner operator, with regular fixed
cargo services from Southeast Asia to the Arabian Gulf, Red
Sea and East Africa. Thoresen has also recently expanded its
services to ports in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Shipping services
The group offers a wide range of shipping services, including
ship agency, shipbroking, stevedoring, P&I representation,
ship repair and maintenance, offshore and diving specialists,
and satellite and marine communications. All require a highly
skilled workforce and provide secondary business and employment
opportunities for local firms.
The services are provided through the following companies:
• ISS Thoresen Agencies Ltd. (ITA)
• Gulf Agency Company (Thailand) Limited (GAC)
• Thoresen (Indochina) S.A. (TIC)
• Thai P&I Services International Ltd. (TPI)
• Chidlom Transport and Services Co., Ltd. (CTS)
• Fearnleys (Thailand) Ltd. (FTL)
• T.S.C. Maritime Ltd. (TSC)
• Mermaid Maritime Ltd. (MML)
• Horizon Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. (HMC)
• Sharjah Ports Services LLC. (SPS)
