PIL managing director SS Teo has reiterated his desire to keep his company independent in the face of other boxship mergers and takeovers.
He said market talk that the Singapore line is an acquisition target for bigger operators is recognition of its "good-sized fleet with good mix of ships".
Teo told the Business Times that he is unconvinced a merger is the way ahead and wants to remain "nimble and operationally strong".
"If we are part of a larger group, we may lose this nimbleness," he added.
He described PIL as a "a street fighter" that has stayed "alliance neutral", although it does work with Evergreen, Wan Hai and Cosco Shipping in Latin America, and Cosco and Wan Hai on transpacific trades.
"By not being in alliances, we have more freedom to move," he added.
