Bahri Line Expands Its Presence in Thailand’s Project Cargo Market

As global supply chains continue to evolve in response to shifting trade dynamics, infrastructure investment, and the ongoing energy transition, the movement of complex, oversized, and high-value cargo has become an increasingly critical component of international trade. For Thailand, positioned at the centre of Southeast Asia’s manufacturing and export ecosystem, the ability to handle such cargo efficiently is essential to maintaining competitiveness across global markets.

Against this backdrop, Bahri Line, the multipurpose and project cargo division of The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, is steadily expanding its presence in the Thai market. Leveraging its specialised vessel capabilities and established global network, the company is positioning itself as a flexible and reliable partner for Thai importers and exporters handling project cargo, breakbulk, and high-and-heavy shipments across key trade lanes.

In this issue of LM, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Abdulrahman Alzeer, Trade Development Manager of Bahri Line, and Mr. Naruedol Akkaragumtorn, Director of Sealite Shipping—the shipping agent for Bahri Line in Thailand—who shared insights into Bahri Line’s operating model, its strategic direction in Thailand, and how its services are evolving to meet increasingly complex cargo requirements.

A Different Kind of Vessel

At the core of Bahri Line’s value proposition is its fleet of RoCon vessels, short for Roll-on/Roll-off Container vessels, which integrate multiple cargo-handling capabilities within a single platform. Unlike conventional tonnage designed around a single cargo format, these vessels are engineered to accommodate containers, rolling cargo, and breakbulk shipments within the same sailing, enabling greater operational efficiency and cargo consolidation.

This hybrid configuration is particularly relevant for industries where cargo moves in mixed formats, including energy, infrastructure, and heavy industrial sectors. Large-scale projects rarely consist of uniform cargo; instead, they typically involve a combination of containerised components, rolling units, and out-of-gauge or non-containerisable cargo. By enabling all three to be transported within one shipment, Bahri Line offers a more streamlined and integrated logistics solution that aligns with real-world project execution.

“Our vessels are designed to carry all types of cargo in one shipment,” said Mr. Alzeer. “We can load containers, rolling cargo, and heavy project cargo at the same time, which allows us to support more complex logistics requirements in a single move.”

The vessels are equipped with onboard heavy-lift cranes capable of handling up to approximately 220 tonnes, supported by multi-deck configurations and RoRo access, making them well-suited for oversized and heavy cargo that cannot be easily containerised. This includes transformers, industrial machinery, wind turbine components, tunnel boring machines, as well as industrial and mining equipment, cargo segments that are becoming increasingly prominent as infrastructure, energy, and resource projects expand across global markets. While the vessels are also capable of accommodating rolling cargo such as vehicles, this is typically handled within a defined capacity range, with the company’s primary focus remaining on project and breakbulk cargo.

In addition, the fleet consists of sister vessels with uniform specifications, providing a high degree of operational consistency. This standardisation allows customers to plan repeat shipments with confidence, as vessel capability remains consistent across sailings, reducing uncertainty in cargo planning and stowage requirements.

“When customers have repeat cargo, they don’t need to worry about whether the next vessel can handle it,” Mr. Alzeer noted. “The vessels are the same, so it is very straightforward.”

Strengthening Its Presence in Thailand

As part of its broader expansion strategy across Asia, Bahri Line has been progressively developing its footprint in Thailand, with regular calls at Laem Chabang forming a key component of its Far East service rotation. The addition of Thailand to its network reflects a strategic focus on Southeast Asia, where sustained industrial growth and infrastructure development are generating increased demand for specialised shipping solutions.

Thailand’s role as both a manufacturing base and a regional export hub positions it as a natural fit for Bahri Line’s service offering. The market generates a consistent flow of cargo that falls outside standard container parameters, including heavy machinery, industrial equipment, and project-related shipments that require more flexible handling and stowage solutions.

According to Mr. Akkaragumtorn, the company is focused on expanding engagement with Thai shippers while demonstrating the operational advantages of its multipurpose service offering.

“For cargo that is large, heavy, or not suitable for standard containers, our service offers a practical alternative,” he explained. “We are seeing increasing demand from customers who need more flexibility in how they move their cargo.”

This applies across both inbound and outbound cargo flows. Imports from China, particularly through its direct express service from Shanghai to Laem Chabang, represent a key opportunity, driven by demand for heavy equipment and industrial cargo. On the export side, Bahri Line provides direct connections from Thailand to the United States and India, while also supporting project cargo flows to Europe, creating a balanced trade flow that supports long-term service viability.

Strengthening Key Trade Routes

Bahri Line’s service network connects Thailand to major global markets through a combination of direct sailings and integrated routing solutions. One of its primary services links Shanghai to Laem Chabang, before calling at Ennore in India and continuing to the United States, providing Thai exporters with a consistent and reliable route to North America. This is particularly valuable for project cargo movements, where schedule reliability and transit predictability are critical to project execution.

In addition to direct services, the company offers transhipment solutions that extend its global reach. With Ennore serving as a key transhipment hub linking its Far East and Europe services, cargo originating in Thailand can be efficiently connected to onward sailings serving Europe and the Middle East. This network design enhances geographic coverage while maintaining operational efficiency.

“We offer both direct and transhipment services,” said Mr. Alzeer. “This allows us to connect Thailand to a wider range of destinations while maintaining flexibility in how cargo is routed.”

The company has also committed to maintaining a regular service frequency in Thailand, with at least one vessel calling Laem Chabang each month, reinforcing the reliability of its liner service and providing customers with a consistent and predictable shipping schedule. This level of schedule reliability provides shippers with a stable planning framework, which is particularly important for industries where project timelines, procurement schedules, and delivery windows must be closely aligned.

“In the short term, we see strong potential in imports from Shanghai to Laem Chabang, especially for heavy equipment,” Mr. Akkaragumtorn added, highlighting the strength of this trade lane.

Flexibility Without Compromising Reliability

Flexibility is a defining characteristic of Bahri Line’s operating model, but it is applied within a structured framework that prioritises schedule integrity. Rather than focusing on price-based flexibility, the company emphasises its ability to configure services around cargo requirements, while maintaining the discipline of a liner operation.

“Flexibility for us is about how we design our service around customer needs,” Mr. Alzeer explained. “We can adjust where it makes sense, but we always protect the reliability of our schedule.”

For its RoCon fleet, this means accommodating cargo opportunities that fall within a manageable deviation window, while avoiding changes that would disrupt the overall rotation. This ensures that service commitments remain intact, even as the company responds to evolving market demand.

In parallel, Bahri’s multipurpose fleet operates under a semi-liner model along defined trade corridors, allowing for greater adaptability in port coverage and cargo intake. This dual-structure approach enables Bahri Line to balance schedule predictability with operational flexibility, offering solutions that are both reliable and responsive to customer requirements.

A Customer-Centric Approach 

Beyond vessel capability and network design, Bahri Line places strong emphasis on accessibility and responsiveness. Its relatively flat organisational structure enables direct communication between agents, customers, and decision-makers, reducing response times and facilitating faster resolution of operational issues.

“We are always close to our customers and easy to reach,” said Mr. Alzeer. “If there is an issue, it can be addressed quickly without unnecessary layers.”

This level of responsiveness is particularly important in project logistics, where cargo specifications, timelines, and routing requirements can evolve rapidly. By maintaining streamlined communication channels, Bahri Line is able to provide more agile support throughout the shipment lifecycle.

The company serves a broad customer base, ranging from EPC contractors and multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises. This diversified approach reflects its ability to tailor solutions across different cargo profiles and shipment scales, rather than focusing on a single segment of the market.

Supporting Thailand’s Role in Global Project Cargo Trade

As global demand for infrastructure development, energy projects, and industrial expansion continues to grow, the importance of project cargo within international trade is expected to increase further. For Thailand, this presents an opportunity to reinforce its position as a regional hub for complex and high-value cargo movements, supported by its manufacturing capabilities and strategic location.

Within this context, Bahri Line’s expanding presence at Laem Chabang introduces an additional layer of capability to the Thai logistics landscape. By combining multipurpose vessel design with a structured yet adaptable service model, the company is contributing to a more diversified and resilient shipping ecosystem.

“Our service is established, and we are committed to continuing it,” Mr. Alzeer said. “We see Thailand as an important market, and we look forward to growing together with our customers here.”

As supply chains become more complex and cargo requirements continue to evolve, solutions that offer both technical capability and operational flexibility will play an increasingly important role. In this environment, Bahri Line’s integrated approach positions it as a strong and relevant partner for Thai businesses navigating the next phase of global project cargo movement.

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