APL: New Fuel Surcharge to Reflect Slow-steaming
Container shipping line APL has announced a new fuel surcharge formula in the Trans-Pacific Trade that reflects the financial impact of slow-steaming, the industry-wide practice of reducing vessel speed to reduce fuel consumption, control costs and reduce emissions. The new formula results in a somewhat lower bunker surcharge, effective July 1, 2011, than would have been assessed under the previous formula which was based on a guideline from the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement. The surcharge for a standard 40-foot standard container shipped from Asia to the U.S. West Coast drops to $538 from $568. The surcharge for a standard 40-foot standard container shipped to the U.S. East Coast drops to $1,049 from $1,107.
Sappino Leaves APL After 29 Yrs
APL said today that 29-year veteran Bob Sappio, head of the shipping line’s PanAmerican Trades, will leave the company August 1 to remain in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sappio has been the head of APL’s Trans-Pacific Trade since 2003. He played a key role in establishing APL as the leader in the Trans-Pacific and in building its brand reputation for high-quality service in the industry, said Ron Widdows, CEO of parent company NOL Group. “I’ve devoted my entire career to APL – a company I have tremendous affection and respect for,” said Sappio, who joined the container carrier in 1982. Sappio guided APL to a top market share position in the route between Asia and the U.S. West Coast.
APL Launches 53-foot Containers into the Market
The first 53-foot ocean-capable containers from shipping leader APL have rolled off the assembly line and were loaded onto the vessel APL Philippines for their initial voyage across the Pacific. Major retailers have snapped up the containers to take advantage of “big-box economics” on the Transpacific Trade from Asia to the U.S. “We took the first order of 53-foot containers from our manufacturer in China and immediately put them to work,” said Bob Sappio, Senior Vice President of the Transpacific Trade at APL. APL last month introduced the world’s first 53-foot containers designed specifically for deep sea containership transport. The carrier recently announced a name for the new product – Ocean53. The first cargo-laden boxes were loaded at the Port of Chiwan.
