By Maria Kalamatas – March 10, 2025
Regional Container Lines (RCL) has reported an extraordinary financial performance for 2024, posting a staggering 511% increase in net profits. The Thai Stock Exchange-listed shipping company attributed its impressive growth to a rise in freight income, expanded geographical coverage, and increased demand for intra-Asian and feeder services.
Profit Surge Driven by Higher Freight Volumes
RCL announced a full-year net profit of THB9.17 billion ($272.5 million), a dramatic jump from THB1.5 billion in 2023. This surge was primarily fueled by a 34% increase in freight income, reaching THB8.83 billion, as both cargo volumes and average freight rates saw notable growth.
The company reported handling 2.45 million TEUs in 2024, a 12% rise compared to the previous year. Additionally, the average freight rate climbed to $404 per TEU, marking an 18% increase from $343 per TEU in 2023.
Expansion into New Markets
Beyond its financial success, RCL has been aggressively expanding its services into key emerging markets, including the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa. The company has also been strengthening its reefer (refrigerated container) services to support the rising global demand for perishable goods logistics.
To support its growth trajectory, RCL took delivery of five newbuild container vessels in 2024. Three of these vessels were integrated into its existing service routes, while two were chartered to global shipping operators, further enhancing RCL’s market positioning.
Outlook for 2025
With continued investments in fleet expansion and regional connectivity, RCL is positioning itself as a dominant player in the intra-Asian and feeder shipping segments. As global trade patterns evolve and demand for agile shipping solutions increases, industry analysts expect RCL to maintain its upward growth trend in 2025.
As the maritime sector adapts to shifting trade flows, The Logistic News will continue to provide exclusive insights into the developments shaping global shipping and logistics.
Stay tuned for more updates on the maritime industry’s biggest success stories and strategic expansions.
