Background: Strategic River Port Infrastructure

Located along the Chao Phraya River in Bang Ya Phraek, Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan, Sahathai Terminal is a private river-port operator offering a full spectrum of logistics services—container yards, general and bonded warehouses, and barge-connection services to and from Laem Chabang Port. The terminal has, in recent years, positioned itself to relieve congestion at major sea-ports and offer multimodal transport options for importers, exporters and freight forwarders.

September 2025: Strong Operational Momentum

In September 2025, Sahathai Terminal reported a marked increase in barge-based container operations along the Chao Phraya River corridor. This upswing is driven by several factors:

A growing shift among shippers toward river-based transport to avoid road-congestion delays around Laem Chabang and Bangkok metropolitan access routes.
Freight forwarders consolidating container volumes to utilise the river-port alternative and leverage lower costs.
The terminal’s readiness with expanded yard space and improved handling capacity enabling faster turnarounds for feeder vessels and barges.

New Service Expansions & Forwarder Collaboration

During the month, Sahathai Terminal announced enhanced barge-service scheduling to key export destinations in regional Asia, offering direct loading from the river port and feeder transit without excessive truck-haulage time. The terminal further engaged freight-forwarding partners in Samut Prakan and Bangkok to co-ordinate container volumes for these barge departures. Industry sources at the terminal confirmed that forwarders reported savings on waiting time and handling fees due to the streamlined river link.

Efficiency & Sustainability Gains

Sahathai Terminal emphasised that the rise in barge operations has delivered tangible efficiency benefits: reduced dwell time for containers, less reliance on long-haul truck transport, and improved scheduling for shippers. The move also aligns with broader sustainability goals: fewer truck-kilometres, lower emissions from road transport, and better utilisation of internal waterways.

Strategic Outlook & Next Steps

Looking ahead, Sahathai Terminal is preparing for further scaling of its river-port services. Plans for the next quarter include:

Expanding the container yard and warehouse footprint to accommodate larger volumes of inbound and outbound flows.
Upgrading digital tracking and visibility tools for customers to monitor barge and container movement in real-time.
Strengthening partnerships with regional ports and shipping lines for more direct links from the Chao Phraya River terminal.

Why This Matters for Thailand’s Logistics Landscape

Sahathai Terminal’s September 2025 performance underscores a broader shift in Thailand’s logistics ecosystem: a move toward multimodal, river-integrated logistics hubs rather than reliance solely on deep-sea ports and road trucking. By successfully scaling barge operations, Sahathai Terminal enhances Thailand’s competitive position in Southeast Asia–driven trade flows, offering importers and exporters faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Conclusion

As we review the month of September, Sahathai Terminal stands out as a rising force in Thailand’s maritime and river-logistics sector. With stronger barge volumes, improved forwarder collaboration, and a clear strategic roadmap, the terminal is reinforcing its role as a major logistics hub on the Chao Phraya River. For importers, exporters and logistics operators alike, the shift to river-port services offers a timely and compelling alternative.

Sahathai Terminal Reports Significant Activity in September 2025 – Expanding River-Port Services