常用简称
pil
SCAC 代码
PILU
总部所在地
新加坡
航运联盟
独立运营
船队运力
约 30 万 TEU

Singapore's largest homegrown container shipping line, known for its Asia-Africa routes, operates independently.

Basic Information

Item Details
English Name Pacific International Lines (PIL)
SCAC Code PILU
Headquarters Singapore
Established 1967
Shipping Alliance Independent
Fleet Capacity Approx. 300,000 TEU (Alphaliner 2025)
Global Rank 12th

Company Overview

Pacific International Lines (PIL) was founded in Singapore in 1967 by the Zhang family. After more than half a century of steady development, it has become the largest homegrown container shipping company in Southeast Asia. The company started with coastal shipping between Singapore and Malaysia, gradually expanded to other Southeast Asian countries and East Asian markets, and pioneered African routes in the 1980s, establishing a leading position in this niche market.

PIL's most prominent competitive advantage lies in its deep presence on African routes. The company's port coverage across the African continent is rare among peers—from Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) in East Africa, to Lagos (Nigeria), Tema (Ghana), and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) in West Africa, to Durban and Cape Town in South Africa, PIL has built a dense shipping service network covering almost the entire African coastline. For import and export companies engaged in China-Africa trade, PIL is one of the most reliable maritime partners connecting China and Africa. In recent years, the scale of China-Africa trade has continued to grow, and PIL has continuously benefited from this trend thanks to its first-mover advantage and network depth on African routes.

In the Asian market, PIL also maintains stable route coverage. Leveraging the location advantage of its Singapore headquarters, PIL operates multiple weekly services between China, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, covering major ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Klang, and Nhava Sheva. The company adheres to an independent operation strategy and does not join any shipping alliances. This business philosophy gives it greater autonomy and flexibility in route planning and capacity deployment. Around 2020, PIL underwent financial restructuring. After introducing external investors, its operating conditions improved significantly, and the quality of its services and schedule reliability have steadily increased. Currently, PIL's fleet capacity is approximately 300,000 TEU, ranking 12th globally and far ahead among Singapore's homegrown shipping companies.

Main Routes

Route Typical Port Calls Remarks
China–Africa Shanghai → Ningbo → Singapore → Durban → Lagos → Tema PIL's flagship route, covering major East/West/South African ports, frequent weekly sailings
China–Southeast Asia Shenzhen → Hong Kong → Singapore → Port Klang → Bangkok Weekly service, good space guarantee
China–Middle East Qingdao → Ningbo → Shenzhen → Jebel Ali → Dammam Transship via Singapore, connecting to the Persian Gulf
China–East Coast South America Shanghai → Ningbo → Santos → Navegantes FMC route, covering major Brazilian ports
Intra-Asia Singapore → Jakarta → Surabaya → Manila Southeast Asian feeder network, convenient transshipment connections
China–Indian Subcontinent Shanghai → Ningbo → Shenzhen → Nhava Sheva → Mundra Connecting major ports on India's west coast

Ports of Call in China

Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao

Operational Notes

  • Route Characteristics: The African route network is the most extensive, covering all major ports in East, West, and South Africa with stable schedules; intra-Asia routes are flexible and efficient with smooth transshipment connections.
  • Booking & Documentation: For African routes, detailed product descriptions and HS codes are required. Some East/West African countries require import permits or conformity certificates (e.g., PVoC, SONCAP). Confirm special customs clearance requirements at the destination port in advance when booking.
  • Special Cargo: PIL accepts dangerous goods (DG), out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo, and reefer containers, but prior application and approval from the carrier are required. Reefer capacity on African routes is limited; it is recommended to book 2–3 weeks in advance.
  • Suitable Cargo: Import/export goods for Africa (electromechanical products, textiles and garments, building materials, daily consumer goods), bulk commodities for China-Africa trade.
  • Seasonal Factors: Peak season on African routes is mainly from August to December (traditional peak season for Chinese exports to Africa), with strong demand for pre-Christmas stockpiling; capacity tightens around the Chinese New Year (January–February). It is recommended to lock in space 3–4 weeks in advance during peak season.
  • Transit Time Reference: China to East Africa: approx. 18–25 days; to West Africa: approx. 22–30 days; to South Africa: approx. 15–20 days. Intra-Asia routes are faster, China to Southeast Asia: approx. 5–8 days.
  • Restrictions: During peak season, port congestion at some African destinations (e.g., Lagos, Tema) may cause schedule delays of 3–7 days. Some East/West African countries require PVoC/SONCAP certification. Bofeng Logistics can assist customers in obtaining certification in advance to ensure smooth shipment.
  • Booking Method: Book through Bofeng Logistics as a first-tier agent to enjoy priority space guarantee and professional operational support.

Bofeng Logistics Services

Bofeng Logistics, as a first-tier cooperating freight forwarder for Pacific International Lines (PIL), has deep experience in the African route market. Leveraging PIL's Asia–Middle East–Africa transshipment hub layout at its Singapore headquarters, we provide FCL/LCL booking services from China to all destinations across East, West, and South Africa, along with integrated logistics solutions including customs clearance, trucking, and warehousing. We are well-versed in the special operational requirements of PIL's African routes—from PVoC/SONCAP certification to pre-review of destination customs documents, providing full professional support to ensure safe and efficient delivery of goods to major African ports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What advantages does Pacific International Lines have on African routes? Pacific International Lines (PIL) is one of the liner companies with the densest African route network, covering all major ports in East, West, and South Africa, including Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Tema, and Durban. PIL has been deeply rooted in the African market for decades, with stable schedules and frequent weekly sailings. It is one of the most reliable maritime partners for China-Africa trade, especially suitable for enterprises engaged in China-Africa import and export business.

Q2: Why has PIL become Singapore's largest shipping company? Since its establishment in 1967, PIL has adhered to an independent operation strategy, not joining any shipping alliances, giving it high autonomy and flexibility in route planning and capacity deployment. The company accurately seized the growth opportunities of Asia-Africa trade, built a first-mover advantage on African routes, and steadily expanded between China, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent leveraging its Singapore headquarters. Over more than half a century, it has developed into the largest homegrown shipping company in Southeast Asia.

Q3: What kind of cargo is suitable for PIL? PIL is suitable for import and export goods to Africa, including electromechanical products, textiles and garments, building materials, daily consumer goods, and bulk commodities for China-Africa trade. The company accepts dangerous goods (DG), out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo, and reefer containers, but reefer capacity is limited; it is recommended to book 2–3 weeks in advance.

Practical Experience

In the operation of African routes, we have accumulated rich practical experience. PVoC (Kenya) and SONCAP (Nigeria) certifications are critical before shipment—the processing time for these certifications typically takes 7–14 working days, and the certification documents must be fully consistent with the bill of lading information; otherwise, destination customs clearance may face severe delays or even confiscation risks. We recommend that customers start the certification process simultaneously when booking and circulate copies of the certifications along with the bill of lading so that the destination agent can submit for pre-clearance in advance.

Singapore transshipment is another operational point for PIL's African routes. Using Singapore as a hub, PIL consolidates cargo from various Chinese ports and distributes them to African ports via mother vessels or feeder ships. The transshipment connection time is usually 3–7 days. It is recommended to reserve sufficient free time to avoid high detention charges due to waiting time exceeding limits. Especially on West African routes, port congestion at Lagos and Tema is common. We usually recommend that customers allow a buffer of 7–10 days in their commercial contracts to cope with schedule fluctuations caused by port congestion.

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