Asia's leading intra-regional container shipping company, with the highest density of China-Japan, China-Korea, and Southeast Asia routes, operating independently.
Basic Information
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| English Name | SITC International Holdings (SITC) |
| SCAC Code | SITC |
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Shipping Alliance | Independent |
| Fleet Capacity | Approx. 180,000 TEU (Alphaliner 2025) |
| Global Ranking | 13th |
Company Overview
SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Shanghai. It is a leading intra-Asia shipping and logistics company in China. In 2010, SITC was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 1308), marking a phase of rapid growth. After more than three decades of dedication, SITC has grown from a small shipping enterprise into one of the independent container shipping companies with the widest intra-Asia route coverage and the highest sailing frequency.
SITC's core strategy is clear and unique — focusing on the intra-Asia market without venturing into deep-sea routes. This differentiation enables SITC to achieve precise operations within Asia: its fleet mainly consists of 1,800–2,700 TEU medium and small container vessels. The high-frequency, fast-turnaround model enabled by smaller vessels perfectly meets the Asian supply chain's strict requirements for timeliness. Currently, SITC operates over 70 intra-Asia routes, covering more than 80 ports across 16 countries and regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and India.
On China-Japan routes, SITC boasts the industry's highest sailing frequency, connecting major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Dalian with Japanese base ports like Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Moji, offering multiple weekly services. Its advantage is also prominent on China-Korea routes, with ample space supply on popular lanes such as Qingdao–Busan and Shanghai–Incheon. For export companies in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta, SITC's dense Southeast Asia route network provides convenient and efficient shipping channels for goods bound for emerging markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. SITC also actively deploys end-to-end logistics, with affiliated businesses including freight forwarding, container yards, and warehousing, forming a comprehensive intra-Asia supply chain service system.
Major Routes
| Route | Typical Port Calls | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| China–Japan | Shanghai → Osaka → Tokyo → Nagoya → Moji | Highest frequency on China-Japan, multiple weekly sailings, ample space |
| China–Korea | Qingdao → Busan → Incheon → Shanghai | Multiple weekly services, connecting core Northeast Asian ports |
| China–Southeast Asia | Shenzhen → Hong Kong → Ho Chi Minh → Bangkok → Laem Chabang | Covers Vietnam/Thailand/Philippines, dense weekly sailings |
| China–Philippines | Xiamen → Manila → Cebu → Davao | Direct service to Philippines |
| China–Vietnam | Shanghai → Ningbo → Haiphong → Ho Chi Minh | Dedicated Vietnam route |
| Intra-Asia | Busan → Osaka → Shanghai → Hong Kong → Singapore | Northeast Asia–Southeast Asia backbone |
Ports of Call in China
Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen
Operating Instructions
- Route Features: Extremely high intra-Asia route density, covering numerous ports with flexible sailing schedules; China-Japan and China-Korea routes offer strong space reliability, suitable for high-frequency, small-batch shipping.
- Booking & Documentation: Book through Bofeng Logistics. For Japan routes, pay attention to the cargo manifest submission deadline at destination (usually 3–5 working days before vessel arrival); for Vietnam routes, confirm Certificate of Origin (CO) requirements in advance.
- Special Cargo: SITC accepts dangerous goods (DG) and reefer containers, but some routes have restrictions on DG classes requiring prior approval. Japan routes have high demand for reefer transport of food-grade products; early reefer space booking is recommended.
- Suitable Cargo: Import/export goods between China-Japan/Korea/Southeast Asia, time-sensitive electronics and light industrial products, cross-border e-commerce B2B goods.
- Seasonal Factors: Peak seasons for China-Japan/Korea routes are before Chinese New Year (January–February shipping rush) and before Japan's Golden Week (late April–early May); Southeast Asia routes peak from September to December (Christmas order preparation). During peak periods, space is tight; book 2–3 weeks in advance.
- Transit Time Reference: Shanghai/Qingdao to Japanese base ports approx. 2–4 days, to Busan/Incheon about 1–3 days, to Ho Chi Minh about 4–6 days, to Laem Chabang about 5–7 days. High-frequency short voyages in Asia are SITC's core timeliness advantage.
- Restrictions: SITC does not operate deep-sea routes; cargo destined for Europe, America, Middle East, or Africa cannot be shipped directly via SITC. Some Japanese ports have additional inspection/quarantine requirements for special categories like food and pharmaceuticals; ensure complete customs clearance documents in advance.
- Booking Method: Book through Bofeng Logistics as a first-tier forwarder to enjoy preferred sailing recommendations and full tracking services.
Bofeng Logistics Services
As a first-tier co-loading partner of SITC, Bofeng Logistics leverages SITC's ultra-high-density network of 70+ intra-Asia routes to provide customers with high-frequency booking services on China-Japan, China-Korea, and Southeast Asia routes. We are especially skilled in designing sailing schedules for fast-turnaround cargo — combining SITC's operational characteristics of small and medium vessels with high frequency to help customers reduce in-transit inventory time and lower inventory costs. With integrated customs clearance, trucking, and warehousing services, we make your intra-Asia logistics more efficient and flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are SITC's advantages on intra-Asia routes? SITC focuses on the intra-Asia market, operating over 70 routes covering more than 80 ports across 16 countries and regions. Its fleet mainly consists of 1,800–2,700 TEU medium and small container vessels. The high-frequency, fast-turnaround operational model perfectly meets Asian supply chain timeliness requirements. China-Japan and China-Korea routes have the highest sailing frequency in the industry with ample space supply.
Q2: Why doesn't SITC operate deep-sea routes? SITC adopts a differentiation strategy, firmly positioning itself as "focusing on Asia, not venturing into deep sea." Intra-Asia trade grows rapidly with short voyages and fast turnaround. Small and medium vessels can flexibly call at ports and sail back and forth at high frequency — this model better leverages SITC's refined operational advantages than deep-sea routes. Focusing on the intra-Asia market allows SITC to excel in this niche and become the independent carrier with the widest route coverage and highest sailing frequency in the region.
Q3: What types of shippers is SITC suitable for? SITC is suitable for import/export enterprises engaged in China-Japan, China-Korea, and Southeast Asia trade, especially customers with high-frequency, small-batch shipping patterns. Goods with high timeliness requirements, such as electronics, light industrial products, and cross-border e-commerce B2B items, can benefit from flexible logistics solutions through SITC's dense sailing schedules.
Practical Experience
In daily operations with SITC, what impresses us most is the flexibility brought by its high-frequency intra-Asia routes. For example, on China-Japan routes, multiple weekly sailings are available from Shanghai to Osaka/Tokyo. Even if one sailing is missed, the next one is available the next day or the day after, providing great leeway for customers with tight procurement schedules and urgent delivery deadlines. We have successfully shipped on many occasions when customers placed last-minute orders with only 2–3 days of preparation time, thanks to SITC's high-density sailing schedule.
Handling small-batch cargo is another standout advantage of SITC. Compared to the implicit minimum booking volume thresholds of larger carriers, SITC has a high acceptance of small batches of 20–50 cubic meters and offers flexible sailing arrangements. This is especially important for cross-border e-commerce B2B and small-to-medium foreign trade enterprises. Additionally, SITC's booking confirmation speed ranks among the best in the industry — after submitting a booking through Bofeng Logistics, confirmation is usually received within 2–4 hours, which is particularly valuable during peak season when space is tight.
Contact Us
- Bofeng Logistics Booking Hotline: 130-7567-8958
- Email: info@zhbfwl.com