Pacific International Lines (PIL), which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is today ranked amongst the top container ship operators in the world, according to director Ivan Naik. Incorporated in 1967, PIL has developed from a coastal ship-owner/ operator in Singapore to become one of the largest ship owners in Asia, said Naik. In 2000, Kieran Sullivan, a man with “a vision and drive” established the local South African office representing PIL, now known as Pacific International Lines South Africa (PILSA). “With the entrepreneurial skill of Sullivan, this company became an unparalleled success. But sadly, Sullivan passed away in 2006.” Naik said that it seemed like “just the other day” that the company’s first vessel, Kota Molek, arrived in Durban and Cape Town. “It started the partnership between PIL Singapore and the thenagents Foreshore Ships’ agency with offices in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg,” he said. The original intention was to provide a fortnightly service from the Far East to West Africa, via South Africa. “However, there was such support from the market that it resulted in an upgrade to a weekly service shortly after commencement, with calls at Durban and Cape Town. This was followed by a dedicated weekly service from the Far East to South Africa, which was set up by PIL together with partner carriers,” he said. “Such was the relationship between PIL and Foreshore, that new opportunities were being sought on an ongoing basis,” he added. The result of this was that a joint venture agency was formed in 2006 – hence PIL South Africa. “Today PIL is in a position to provide services to and from the Far East, East and West Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
