APL to Reorganize Management Structure
Container ship operators APL says it is to move from the current geographically-organized structure to a functional one. The functions will be in the areas of Trade, Commercial, Operations, Procurement and Planning & Strategy. “The container shipping industry is undergoing profound changes, characterized by low growth and intense competition. We recognize there is a need for APL to respond more quickly to the market and to our customers. We are pushing ahead with our strategy…
APL and MOL Increases Japan Coverage
Direct access to key Japanese markets. Global container shipping leader APL today announced that it will enhance its Japan to Thailand and Philippines coverage as a slot operator in a tie-up with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). The new service, named Japan-Thailand-Philippine (JTP) service, will enhance APL’s coverage of Japanese ports, in particular those of Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu and Nagoya. “Introducing the weekly JTP service will strengthen APL’s Intra-Asia shortsea network and better serve key production and consumption markets in the region…
Asia Key to Recovery of Containerized Trade
Asian economies are leading the recovery of international container trade volumes, but strong growth across the region could see pre-recession pressure on freight infrastructure re-emerge, a senior executive of container shipping line APL told a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on May 20. “Intra-Asia is already the world’s single largest container trade,” Jason Wong, Vice President of APL’s Intra Asia trade, told the 8th ASEAN Ports & Shipping Conference. By 2015, Intra Asia will contribute 32% of global containerised trade, with the Asia-U.S. and Asia-Europe trades 17% and 18% respectively, according to analyst Global Insight. Wong said that along with China and India…
APL Debuts New Service
APL is enhancing its Intra-Asia service offering with the introduction of a new Laem Chabang West Asia Express (LWX) service, starting on 5 April. APL is the first carrier to launch this direct service from Laem Chabang to Karachi. The service offers the fastest transit time from Thailand and Singapore to Karachi. In recent years, trade between Thailand and Pakistan, and the rest of the Middle East Gulf, has been robust. “APL continues to lead the market with this latest service offering. The new LWX service is driven by the strong growth potential of emerging markets like Thailand, Pakistan and the Middle East, particularly in consumer electronic goods,” said Jason Wong, APL’s Vice President, Intra-Asia, Middle East & Australia Trade.
APL Offers New East Africa Service
APL launched a new East Africa Express (EAX) service. The weekly EAX service will connect the Indian subcontinent and Arabian Gulf to East Africa. Trade from the Far East bound for East Africa will depart from Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Nhava Sheva in India. The port at Nhava Sheva will also serve cargoes originating from the Indian subcontinent and Arabian Gulf, alongside ports in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Jason Wong, APL’s Vice President, Intra-Asia, Middle East & Australia Trade, said: “Africa is an expanding economy which continues to report impressive GDP growth, averaging about 5% annually in the past six years. In East Africa, economic growth is projected to accelerate to around 6% in 2007 and 2008.
