Swire Shipping has opened a new office in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, strengthening its direct presence in one of Southeast Asia’s emerging markets.

The new branch will be led by Darry Tan, who has spent the past two years supporting the company’s operations in the country together with its agency partner CEVA Logistics.

The move marks Swire Shipping’s transition from an agency-based model to more direct market management. Experienced team members will transfer from CEVA Logistics to the new office, ensuring operational continuity and maintaining strong customer relationships. The branch is also expected to move into its own dedicated premises soon.

Swire Shipping’s key offering in the market remains its East Timor Service, which connects Timor-Leste with global trade routes every 10 days via the company’s Singapore hub.

For a small island economy, reliable shipping frequency is essential — supporting imports, container logistics and deeper integration into regional supply chains.

The opening of the Dili office highlights the growing importance of emerging Southeast Asian markets for liner shipping. With continued trade and infrastructure development, Timor-Leste has the potential to become a more visible regional logistics hub, supported by stable connectivity through Singapore.

Following the opening of its Kuala Lumpur branch in April, Swire Shipping’s latest move reflects a broader strategy to expand its regional footprint through local teams, closer customer engagement and the development of niche services with long-term growth potential.