SMC Shipping and Lighterage Corporation ("SMCSL") was officially incorporated in 1974 to establish a shipping point for the Mandaue Brewery production output to be moved to various islands in Visayas, Mindanao, Bicol, and other offshore areas. SMCSL became a member of the Logistics Council of the San Miguel Group of Companies in 1999, and was tasked to be the preferred logistics services integrator of the Group. SMCSL was appointed to manage and operate the unutilized and underutilized SMC-owned facilities.
To cater to its fast-growing clientele from the San Miguel Group of Companies operating in Luzon, SMCSL established its National Capital region ("NCR") satellite Unit in 2002. It also began operating a 14-hectare port and warehousing property in Mariveles, Bataan.
As part of its expansion, SMCSL imported and acquired local vessels like tugboats, barges, and tankers to serve the requirements of the San Miguel Group of Companies.