American President Lines News

French shipping group CMA CGM on Thursday announced it has appointed Peter Levesque to take over as president of CMA CGM America and American President Lines (APL) upon Ed Aldridge's retirement on December 6.Levesque is an international global supply chain executive with more than 30 years of industry leadership experience, who until 2021 was president of Ports America Group. Prior to Ports America, he spent 25 years based in Hong Kong and held leadership positions in international transportation…

Two Matson Inc subsidiaries must face claims from rival container shipping company American President Lines LLC that Matson is abusing its market power over service from the United States to Guam, a federal judge ruled in an antitrust lawsuit.The ruling Friday by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., declined to dismiss claims against Matson Navigation Company Inc and Matson Logistics Inc brought by American President Lines last year seeking unspecified monetary damages for alleged violations of U.S. competition law.The court dismissed parent company Matson Inc as a defendant.Honolulu-based Matson, a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, in 2021 recorded revenue of more than $3.9 billion.

A Singapore-flagged containership that lost at least 40 containers overboard off the coast of Sydney has been detained by authorities in the Port of Brisbane after Australian inspectors found inadequate lashing arrangements for cargo and heavily corroded securing points for containers on deck.APL England had been en route from Ningbo, China to Melbourne on Sunday when it rerouted to Brisbane after a temporary propulsion loss left the 277-meter vessel rolling in heavy seas and caused several container stacks to topple over about 73 kilometers south east of Sydney.

The container transportation and shipping company American President Lines Ltd (APL) announced the proposed acquisition of the book of business of its sister company Cheng Lie Navigation (CNC), Taiwan's Intra-Asia carrier.With this, APL will consolidate all its Intra-Asia business under the CNC brand to be operated from Singapore, retaining both sales networks and all sales channels.“This strategic move will enable us to become the Intra-Asia Champion with the most comprehensive market connectivity in the Far East. With complementary market footprints, the combined portfolio of services is set to shore-up our relevance in the economically-thriving Asia through the CNC brand ahead…

Patriot Contract Services, LLC (PCS) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its operations as a completely U.S.-owned ship management company.   During the past 20 years PCS and its affiliate American Ship Management, LLC have provided ship management and other maritime services to valued customers such as the Military Sealift Command (MSC), the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), American President Lines (APL) and Schuyler Lines Navigation Company, while Patriot Maritime Compliance, LLC has provided expert regulatory guidance to both U.S. flag and international clients.

Modern Terminals Limited (MTL), Hong Kong’s longest established container terminal operator, today announced the appointment of Mr. Keith Saunders as its new Managing Director – Hong Kong, effective from 1st February 2016. Mr. Saunders will lead Modern Terminals’ Brand Promises initiatives in Hong Kong, especially in the areas of operational excellence, innovation and infrastructure development. Mr. Saunders brings three decades of container terminal and operating systems experience to Modern Terminals. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Saunders held a number of senior management positions in American President Lines (APL) focusing on US West Coast terminal, rail and cargo management operations.

CMA CGM vice-chairman Rodolphe Saade said that his company was the first ones to initiate the discussions with NOL and Temasek and it made sense to them, that is why they carried on with the discussions, according to a report in The Straits Times. France's CMA CGM proposed a $3.38 billion cash buyout of Temasek Holdings-controlled NOL. "Of course they were talking to others... I don't know about the offers of the others, but what I will say is that we are the third-largest container carrier in the world,"  he added. CMA CGM , privately owned by the billionaire Saade family has, over the years, acquired and integrated brands such as government-owned Australian National Line, African specialist Delmas and Taiwan's Cheng Lie Navigation into its suite.

Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings has agreed to sell its entire 67 percent stake in Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) to France’s CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipper. CMA CGM will pay S$1.30 a share in cash for the 2.6 billion shares in NOL, 6 per cent above the last closing price on the Singapore Exchange, and a 33 per cent premium to the three-month volume-weighted average price to July 16. Temasek has accepted the offer. Tan Chong Lee, Head of Portfolio Management at Temasek said: “We are supportive of this transaction as it presents NOL with an opportunity to join a leading player with an extensive global presence and solid operational track record… Their complementary strengths will yield mutually bene-ficial results.

The proposed cash acquisition of NOL at SGD 1.30 per NOL share, represents a 49% premium to NOL’s unaffected share price. Strategic acquisition resulting in combined turnover of USD 22 billion and fleet size of 563 vessels. CMA CGM, a global leader in container shipping, today announces a pre-conditional voluntary general cash offer for Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), Southeast Asia’s largest container shipping company (SGX: N03), subject to the satisfaction of the pre-conditions specified in such announcement. NOL’s majority shareholders (Temasek and its affiliates) have irrevocably undertaken to tender all of their shares in acceptance of the Offer.

France’s CMA CGM has approached banks to finance its potential takeover bid for Singapore’s Neptune Orient Lines Ltd (NOL), reports Bloomberg. The world’s No. 3 container shipping company is in talks with banks including BNP Paribas SA, HSBC Holdings Plc and JPMorgan Chase & Co. for loans to back an offer for NOL. CMA CGM is the third largest container company in the world and has 8.8 per cent of market share according to container analyst Alphaliner. NOL was started as Singapore’s national shipping line, and following a US$285 million merger in 1997 with American President Lines (APL), it has developed into a company with more than 6,000 staff across 80 countries.

Anthony Chiarello, Matthew J. Cox and James C. The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2015 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE; Matthew J. Cox, President/CEO of Matson Inc.; and James C. McKenna, President and CEO of Pacific Maritime Association. The maritime industry awards are to be presented at the 46th annual gala industry dinner and dance in New York on November 13, 2015. Recognition will also be given to American seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea.

Robert Johansen has been named Director of the Ports & Marine Western Division at Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global engineering and design firm. Johansen will be responsible for business development and the management of design and construction projects for port and marine facilities in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. He will be based in Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Oakland office. Johansen, who has over 50 years of port and marine terminal experience, has held similar positions with other international engineering companies as well as American President Lines…

Singapore-listed Rickmers Maritime Trust (RTM) will have a new ceo at the helm in June this year. Its CEO Thomas Preben Hansen has resigned from his post. Soren Andersen, a shipping executive with 17 years of experience at AP Moller-Maersk Group and American President Lines, will take over the helm. Hansen has held the role of ceo at RTM since its listing on the Singapore Exchange in May 2007. Andersen is currently head of global network and alliance, following a 15 years at AP Moller – Maersk. Andersen started his career with AP Moller-Maersk in Denmark in 1997 after graduating with a Master of Science in Business Administration, marking the beginning of an illustrious career with the group in various operational, marketing, and strategic positions.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world's leading maritime, cargo and supply chain solutions provider has announced a key hire to its senior management team with the appointment of Steve Schollaert as Executive Vice President for North America region. Steve joins ISS with extensive experience at American President Lines (APL) where he held senior positions with responsibility both domestically and internationally in the areas of operations and commercial. In addition to APL, he has worked with Kansas City Southern Railroad, responsible for sales and marketing and as a business consultant to private equity firms.

The US Department of Defense informs that nine companies have each been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price option-year two modifications for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (Universal Services Contract-7). Matson Navigation Company Inc., Oakland, California, estimated $9,645,286 (P00034 to HTC711-12-D-W014). The modifications bring the total cumulative face value of the program to $5,932,834,105. Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, with an expected completion date of Aug. 31, 2015. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 and 2015 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S.

The Los Angeles City Council apprises that it has unanimously confirmed veteran shipping industry leader Gene Seroka as the new Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Earlier in June, the Harbor Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Seroka for the executive director’s position. Mayor Garcetti’s May 27 announcement that he had chosen Seroka for the job concluded a global search to fill the Port’s top management post. As the Port’s Executive Director, Seroka will be responsible for managing a US$938.8-million budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volumes and promoting innovation and sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy.

MOL Liner Ltd. has announced that Richard “Dick” Craig has been promoted to President and CEO of MOL (America) Inc. effective June 24, 2014. He has 34 years of experience in the container shipping industry including over 11 years with MOL. MOL Liner Ltd.’s President & Chief Executive Officer Toshiya Konishi said, “Dick was instrumental in bringing MOL (America) Inc. up to one of the most efficient and productive organizations within MOL Liner in the last 10-plus years. Craig, currently the executive vice president, sales and operations of MOL (America) Inc., joined MOL (America) Inc.

Commissioner William P. Doyle of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has voted in favor of the amended G6 Alliance Agreement. Commissioner Doyle highlighted the U.S.-Flag international trade, U.S. mariner jobs and environmental benefits. He also pointed out concerns on some language in the amendment on how the G6 Parties may handle discussions and agreements with tug operators. "I am in favor of not taking any further action to delay the implementation of the amended G6 Alliance Agreement that was filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) on December 2, 2013.

MOL Liner Ltd. (MOL) has announced its new China – Middle East Express, departing Ningbo on 11th March 2013. MOL will offer an additional weekly service by joining the existing service operated by APL (American President Lines). The service will be operated by 6 vessels and MOL will provide one (1) Post Panamax ship (Mv. “MOL Tyne”). In addition to the present services, MOL will be able to enrich service coverage as well as frequency between China and Middle East. MOL is committed to meet the customer needs by providing high-quality services and variety of port coverage.

John McLaurin, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), a West Coast maritime trade association representing ocean carriers and marine terminal operators on a variety of local, state and federal issues, has been selected to receive the 2013 Connie Award to be presented on the West Coast by the Containerization and Intermodal Institute. The industry-wide dinner event honoring Mr. McLaurin will be held on Thursday, September 26, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, Calif.

MOL has announced the following organizational changes which will take effect in August 2013. These changes will further build the MOL organization as one that customers and employees can continue to count on. Calvin Duffaut, assistant vice president, yield management and corporate communications for MOL (America) Inc. has been promoted to vice president, yield management of MOL Liner and will relocate to Hong Kong. Duffaut joined MOL in 2007 after many years of management experience in trade management, pricing and logistics with Pacer Stacktrain Ltd., American President Lines, and Lykes Bros. Steamship Inc. Duffaut holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University. He will report to Jotaro Tamura, senior vice president, liner yield management, equipment management and network operation.

MOL (America) Inc. issued a release announcing several changes to its North American sales management, including the promotion of Richard Craig to the position of executive vice president, sales and operations. Additionally, Richard Jung, who currently assistant vice president of sales, central region, has been appointed to assume the duties of vice president of sales in replacing Dennis Sheehan, vice president of sales, who has decided to leave MOL (America) Inc. to pursue other opportunities.

Citing consumer interests, U.S.-flag international fleet, small businesses, suppliers and third parties such as terminals, vendors and bunker operators, Doyle submits additional questions to the G6 parties. Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle voted to approve a request for additional information from the filing parties to the G6 Alliance Agreement. Now approved by a vote of the Commission, this request has stopped the 45-day regulatory waiting period. A new 45-day period will begin after the parties have submitted responses to the request for additional information.