Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation is establishing a subsidiary in Thailand — Yang Ming Line (Thailand).

As informed, the new company will start to provide services on January 1, 2018. Derek Chen has been appointed as its president.

Yang Ming said it has upgraded vessel size for Southeast Asia services in order to optimize its service network. The inauguration of Yang Ming Line (Thailand) may provide “a more comprehensive and intensive logistics network by integrating regional business,” the shipping company explained.

“Yang Ming looks forward to reinforcing the operations of import/export/transship cargo in Thailand in line with Yang Ming’s long-term strategy of port network establishment and synchronization of information platform,” the company further said.

Yang Ming currently offers several weekly direct-calling options at the country’s major ports. It also provides shuttle services between Laem Chabang and Bangkok, Singapore and Kaohsiung as transshipment hubs.

Earlier this month, the company revealed plans to expand throughout Asia. Yang Ming said the plans are consistent with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, a proposal of the government of Taiwan to develop and strengthen its role and ties to the economies in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australia.

Thailand is strategically located in the middle of Southeast Asia and its economy has been growing steadily over the years. The country is expected to see a more rapid expansion of the market in the near future.