Award-winning transportation services APL

AWARD-WINNING TRANSPORTATION

SERVICES APL is a globally operating provider of container transportation services and a wholly – owned subsidiary of the Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines logistics company. Industry Europe looks at the latest developments at APL.

Global container transportation services company APL was founded over 160 years ago as the first New York to Asia shipping company. Acquired by Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) Group, a global shipping transportation logistics company based in Singapore, APL has grown to become the world’s fourth largest container shipping business. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange its two business units, APL and APL Logistics, provide supply chain management, consolidation services, freight forwarding and international logistics services.

With a global staff of 11,000 based in 200 offices, APL provides seamless global connectivity by utilising its comprehensive fleet of modern vessels and commercially integrated routes. Range of services

APL’s container fleet offers services ranging from standard dry cargo containers to refrigerated and special containers. The service covers everything from equipment design to maintenance and repair. Containers can be refrigerated if need be, or adapted to contain hazardous materials, and APL also offers packing and loading services to ensure clients’ products will not be damaged during shipping. Oversized cargoes which pose unique challenges, such as military tanks or road-building machinery, can also be moved safely and efficiently by APL’s specially–trained professionals.

All the biggest modern shipping companies, if they want to remain competitive, must also offer E-business solutions whereby clients can have easy access to their shipment information and transaction over the internet. With APL, clients can manage their bills and track shipments online. Meanwhile, electronic data exchange systems allow them to communicate booking information and receive invoices etc without the need to send paper documents – a far more convenient and less time-consuming, not to mention environmentally friendly, method of document exchange.

Recent achievements

APL received two major awards in 2011, underlining its position as one of the world’s leading and most trusted container transportation providers. In September it was named the world’s outstanding shipping

line, winning the prestigious Ship Operator Award at the Lloyd’s List global awards. The company was chosen from a shortlist of finalists including such globally renowned companies as Maersk Line, Pacific Basin Shipping and Seaspan Ship Management.

Following on from this achievement, in October it received both the Global Ocean Carrier of the Year award and the Innovation IT of the Year award at the Containerisation International Awards, which took place in London. APL president Kenneth Glenn said at the occasion: “We’re delighted to once more be recognised by industry peers for shipping excellence. This is an affirmation of our focus on providing customers with schedule reliability and service integrity.”

Worldwide presence

APL serves more than 25,000 locations in 105 countries around the world. Its vessel routes cover Asia-Europe, Australia, Intra-Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe-North America and Asia-North America. The main hubs for APL are Rotterdam for Europe, with the majority of its routes calling here for cargo to be loaded or unloaded and often discharged for feeder services on other transportation. In Asia, APL has a strong presence in its historic Singapore hub, as well as a number of Chinese ports, with its US coverage emanating from hubs on the west coast in LA and Seattle.

In August 2011 APL announced a new service to further expand its presence in Latin America. The West Coast Express service will replace the Panama Andean

X-PRESS FEEDERS

Headquartered in Singapore and established in 1972, X-PRESS FEEDERS has grown to become the largest feeder carrier in the world in terms of Shipper Owned Containers (SOCs). The company ranks 24th on the AXS global ranking of container ship operators.

X-PRESS FEEDERS is set apart as a group by the fact that it runs as a completely independent feeder carrier that does not own, lease or operate any containers. It provides transportation services solely to container ship operators and does not serve proprietary cargo interests or the general shipping public – giving it a stronger focus. This focus on container ship operators is important for X-PRESS FEEDERS as it means it is not in competition with its customers, allowing it to act as a trustworthy and impartial sub-contractor.

X-PRESS has a 200-strong team throughout the world, comprising highly trained shipping specialists who understand the specific needs of each customer and are able to provide them with highly effective feeding solutions.

Express 2 Service. The new service is a vessel-sharing agreement with Hamburg Süd, under the terms of which APL will operate two vessels and Hamburg Süd one vessel, each with a nominal capacity of 1300 TEU. This service links the South American west coast directly to Central America, and connects to the North American west coast and other major markets via APL’s global linehaul services.

Currently operating a fleet of nearly 150 ships, APL has a mix of size and ownership, with both chartered and own ownership, although all ships in its fleet must meet the extraordinarily strict requirements of quality, environmental and maintenance standards that exceed international demands. As the majority of APL’s customer requirements are large, international intra-Asia, US or European logistics, the ships vary from 1500TU capacity to 9000TU capacity, giving APL the ability to delivery the largest loads worldwide.

The quality and standard of the fleet is taken for granted at APL – the company believes this is a non-negotiable aspect prior to any charter or sale and leaseback agreement when adding to its fleet. It is this reliability that truly adds value to the APL offer. n