Apl Ltd News

APL Ltd. to Pay $9.8 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Under the Department of Defense Shipping Contract. APL Limited has agreed to pay the government $9.8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a contract to provide GPS tracking of shipping containers in Afghanistan, the Justice Department announced today. APL, an ocean carrier based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a wholly-owned American subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines Limited. The Department of Defense contract required APL to affix a satellite tracking device to each shipping container transported from Karachi, Pakistan to U.S. military bases in Afghanistan when the Department of Defense (DOD) requested the tracking services.

The appointment of Tim Marsh as senior vice president sales and marketing by Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd is aimed at bolstering its battered intermodal business, says a report from Globe and Mail. Marsh, who brings 25 years of international shipping industry sales and marketing experience, most recently served as executive VP North America Trade Division for Cosco Container Lines (COCSO), the global shipping giant. CP has lost some big intermodal customers to Canadian National Railway Co., and appears to be taking a big step toward winning new contracts in the business of handling containers that travel by ship, rail and truck. Marsh will lead a sales team that has recently lost the intermodal business of APL Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.

The Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) informs that member container shipping lines are proposing an across-the board general rate increase (GRI) of at least US$600 per 40-foot container (FEU) to all destinations, effective September 1, 2014 Carriers had filed increases in their individual tariffs in late July and subsequently began notifying customers directly. TSA lines said the planned GRI follows strong cargo demand and high vessel utilization levels in recent months, which forward bookings suggest will continue through September. With equipment, inland transport and other cargo handling costs rising steadily, carriers see higher baseline rates going into 2015 as essential to maintaining adequate service levels over time.

The Port of Los Angeles honored 26 shipping and cruise lines for their participation in the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an initiative that involves the lowering of vessel speeds when ships approach the Port. The VSRP has resulted in significant decreases in diesel particulate matter, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions into the environment since it was established in 2001. For the first time, the Port also honored 12 ship carriers for their participation in the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), an international clean air program that rewards ocean carriers for bringing their newest and cleanest vessels to the Port.

Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that William A. Hamlin has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Mr. Hamlin will continue to report to Sam Woodward, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hamlin joined Horizon Lines in March 2011 as Senior Vice President of Operations. His responsibilities include ocean transportation services, inland transportation, terminals, equipment management, maintenance, network management, labor relations, security, safety and environmental.

Founding Chairman of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association Clay Maitland unveiled plans to debut NAMEPA’s 2010 Seminar Series in San Francisco on March 9 at the Marines Memorial Club. The title of the seminar is “Environmental Intelligence in Shipping”. The seminar will kick off at 0800 with coffee and registration and end with a luncheon featuring an address by VADM Jody Breckenridge, USCG Commander Pacific Area. “The purpose of NAMEPA’s Seminar Series is to bring together stakeholders in the marine community to discuss concerns and actions that address marine environment protection” stated Mr. Maitland. Kevin Krick, Director of Environmental Affairs Global for APL Ltd. will lead the proceedings with an overview of industry best practices.

CMA CGM (America) LLC announced that Denise Steele has joined the company as an Account Executive for the South Atlantic region. Steele has six years of combined experience in inside and outside sales. Prior to working for CMA CGM (America) LLC, Denise worked for APL, Ltd. for six years. She is based out of CMA CGM’s Atlanta, Georgia office, and will be working with reefer accounts as well as import Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCO). Denise reports to Carmen Murphy, Director of Sales, South Atlantic. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, CMA CGM (America) LLC is the U.S.

John P. Lauer has joined Matson Navigation Company as director, Transpacific services, for Matson's China - Long Beach Express. Lauer will lead Matson's U.S. sales efforts for its burgeoning China - Long Beach Express service and will focus on trade lane yield management and revenue enhancement strategies in conjunction with other Matson operations. He will report to Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services. Lauer comes to Matson with 20 years of sales experience, including a number of senior level executive positions encompassing maritime and logistics activities. Most recently, he was managing director, eastern region, for APL and APL Logistics at the NOL Group level. Lauer led these companies in reaching key performance sales and profit benchmarks.