ส.อ.ท. หนุนยกระดับพาณิชยนาวีไทย เชื่อมดิจิทัล–โลจิสติกส์ ลดต้นทุน ดันไทยสู่ศูนย์กลางทางทะเลอาเซียนFTI Supports the Enhancement of Thai Maritime Trade, Connecting Digital Logistics to Reduce Costs and Position Thailand as an ASEAN Maritime Hub

FTI is advancing the infrastructure and logistics system of Thailand by enhancing connectivity through multimodal transport, a digital information system, and workforce skill development to increase efficiency, reduce steps and transport costs, while opening new opportunities for maritime tourism and service business.

On September 10, 2026, Mr. Udon Kongaekhet, Executive Committee Member of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and Chairman of the Sub-committee for Infrastructure, Logistics and Supply Chain, ASEAN and Logistics, attended the 1/2026 Meeting of the Marine Trade Promotion Committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakan, to discuss ways to enhance the maritime trade; logistics system and maritime transportation of Thailand.

The meeting emphasized four main areas: the development of international cooperation on multimodal transport, the development of an electronic data linking system to facilitate trade and international shipping, the promotion of maritime tourism, and the procedural framework for drafting a new Marine Trade Promotion Act.

[Advancing Thailand's Role as the Leading Country for Multimodal Transport in ASEAN]

The meeting considered supporting Thailand's role as a Leading Country to assist ASEAN member countries in effectively implementing the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport (AFAMT) in a coherent manner throughout the region, including the development and utilization of a Multimodal Transport Document, which is a standard cargo forwarding form used in the ASEAN region for logistics operators that require the use of more than one mode of transport (such as truck, ship, or plane) under a single contract.

This approach will help create a consistent transport standard, develop laws and a registration system for operators, reduce transport steps and costs, enhance speed and trading transparency, and improve the competitiveness of Thai logistics operators in the ASEAN market.

[Accelerating the Development of a Maritime Single Window to Connect Trade and Digital Navigation Data]

Another important agenda is the development of the Maritime Single Window (MSW) on the national Thailand National Single Window platform to transition from paper documents to a digital data network, linking ships, ports, government agencies, transport service providers, and related operators into a unified system.

The meeting proposed that the Marine Department act as the main agency, coordinating with the Customs Department, the National Telecommunications Public Company Limited, and relevant agencies to ensure that the MSW system aligns with international conventions regarding the facilitation of international shipping and can seamlessly link to trade, finance, and international logistics processes comprehensively.

[Promoting Phuket and Andaman Coast as a Yacht Hub while Opening Labor Market Opportunities for Cruise Ships for Thais]

Regarding maritime tourism, the meeting considered strategies to promote Phuket and Andaman coastal provinces as a hub for yacht and superyacht docking in the ASEAN region, linking shipping routes to marine tourism attractions both domestically and with neighboring countries.

Moreover, importance is placed on developing Thai service labor skills, adhering to international service standards, and related courses for working on ships. Collaboration among educational institutions, recruitment companies, operators, and international cruise lines is promoted, alongside establishing an integrated maritime labor database to increase Thai labor's access to the global cruise market and generate income for the country.

[Continuing to Update Laws and Mechanisms to Promote Maritime Trade Modernly]

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the drafting of the Marine Trade Promotion Act B.E. .... to update laws and administrative mechanisms to address the current context of the maritime industry, including maritime transport, Thai ships, shipbuilding and repair, seafarers, educational institutions, and training centers. This includes the determination of benefits and appropriate promotional measures. The enhancement of Thai maritime trade requires a systematic approach that covers physical infrastructure development, digital data linkage, legal and regulatory updates, human resource development, and collaboration among government, industry, and ASEAN member countries to ensure that Thailand's transport and logistics systems are efficient, reduce operators' costs, and remain competitive sustainably.

The Federation of Thai Industries is ready to support the integration of work among relevant agencies and reflect proposals from the industrial sector to promote Thailand as a vital hub for transport, logistics, maritime tourism, and maritime trade in the ASEAN region.