TSC Marine, a joint venture between PSA Marine and NFC Co Ltd (NFC), welcomed the first three of its six new Z-TECH^® tugboats — RS SKYE, RS HUNTER and RS SUMMER — during a tug welcoming ceremony held at PSA’s Thai Connectivity Terminal at Map Ta Phut (MTP), Thailand. The strategic establishment of TSC Marine marks PSA Marine’s first step into the maritime industry in Thailand, fortifying its position as one of the leading marine service providers in the Southeast Asia region.

The newly commissioned purpose-built Z-TECH^® tugboats feature a designed bollard pull of 50 tonnes both ahead and astern. Two of the delivered vessels are equipped with full firefighting (FiFi-1) systems, meeting the operational requirements of PTT LNG and other terminals within the MTP Industrial Port.

These state-of-the-art additions position TSC Marine at the forefront of Thailand’s maritime services, whose lineup now features the country’s most advanced tugboat fleet. While the first three vessels and their crews have already begun operations at MTP, the remaining three Z-TECH® tugboats are set to join the fleet in a phased delivery schedule between December 2024 and November 2025.

PSA International Southeast Asia Regional CEO Nelson Quek gave an address at the opening ceremony, expressing his gratitude to partners NFC and SC Group whilst highlighting the ceremony’s significance to PSA Marine and TSC Marine as a key milestone following the partnership agreement in 2023.

Nelson further outlined TSC Marine’s vital role in advancing PSA’s Node to Network vision across Thailand, encompassing operations at the PSA Thai Connectivity Terminal at MTP, PSA’s Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal (ESCO), and the LCB Container Terminal 1 (LCB1) at Laem Chabang Port. The ceremony included a tour aboard RS HUNTER and a firefighting demonstration by RS SKYE.

The tug welcoming ceremony was also attended by CEO of NFC, Mr. Nataphong Ratanasuwanthawee, who warmly welcomed other guests-of-honour at the event, including Mr Kanchai Thepworachai, Deputy Governor of Rayong Province and Mr Kanapot Khunthong, Deputy Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).