APL A global partner

A GLOBAL PARTNER

APL is a global container shipping business that provides customers around the world with container transportation services through a network combining high-quality intermodal operations with state-ofthe-art information technology.

Global container shipping company APL offers more than 80 weekly services and more than 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide. It combines worldclass intermodal operations with leadingedge IT and e-commerce. APL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines, a global transportation and logistics company engaged in shipping and related businesses.

APL’s partnerships with some of the world’s best-known brands and its success in fostering trade in emerging markets has helped to define global trade, setting new benchmarks in service innovation and excellence.

The company’s aim is to help customers grow their business – whether that is venturing into new territories, exploring new business opportunities, or growing in already developed markets. With more than 160 years’ experience, APL has the knowledge and the expertise to help its clients negotiate the increasingly complex and ever-changing global marketplace.

Today APL offers a scale of container transportation solutions that few can match. These include a comprehensive fleet of vessels and modern equipment, two state-of-the-art intermodal terminals in the US West Coast and priority access to strategic Asian terminals. It also has the benefit of an extensive intermodal network to facilitate inland reach and an integrated supply chain solutions with APL Logistics.

Full range of transport solutions

By combining world-class intermodal operations, reaching 25,000 locations in 105 countries, with leading-edge IT and e-commerce capabilities, APL provides its customers with the full range of transport solutions, including seamless door-to-door services.

Its commitment to meeting every need extends to ensuring that it complies with all standards for security, safety, regulatory and environmental requirements.

APL’s containership fleet is among the most modern and largest in the world. Together with its alliance partners, the company is able to provide worldwide coverage across all the major trade lanes.

And at a time when control can make the difference to how smoothly cargo flows through the supply chain, its customers benefit from the fact that it operates its own marine terminals at eight strategic points around the world, including three on the U.S. West Coast. In addition, APL has priority access in major ports such as in Singapore and China.

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.

The company’s close partnership with railroads, trucking companies and other transport services also ensures there is always a solution to match customers’ needs. Through these strategic arrangements, all are assured of greater choice, convenience and flexibility.

In addition, as part of the NOL Group, APL and sister company APL Logistics, APL can efficiently leverage on the expertise, resources and capabilities of the Group to offer end-to-end, global supply chain solutions and integrated services to suit your every need.

New services

In January 2013 APL introduced a new feeder service to expand its presence in Europe. The dedicated and direct PEX service will run weekly between Germany and Poland. It will provide APL’s customers with timely connections to feeder ports as well as competitive transit times to Asia and USA via the carrier’s global and comprehensive network.

The new service port rotation is: Bremerhaven – Hamburg – Gdynia – Bremerhaven. The first sailing took place on 21 January 2013 from Bremerhaven on the vessel Akacia.

The previous month, APL also introduced a new weekly service to enhance its network coverage in East Asia. The new Japan Thailand 2 (JT2) service is operated through a vessel sharing agreement with Hanjin Shipping with three vessels of 1700 TEU nominal capacity each.

The launch of the JT2 service enhances APL’s global product offering and complements the existing Japan Thailand Vietnam (JTV) service to provide a comprehensive service network for customers trading between South East Asia, North Asia and Japan. It gives wider coverage of Kansai and West Japan region, links Taiwan and the Pearl River Delta region to Thailand, with competitive transit times and connects to APL’s global network via trans-shipment hubs in Kaohsiung and Hong Kong. n