[041116.EN.BIZ] Not Dead Yet! APL Gears Up To Be Big Part of OCEAN Alliance

SINGAPORE's American President Lines (APL), now part of the CMA CGM Group, is to join the league of the world's largest container shipping lines in the OCEAN Alliance and is poised to serve a network coverage of 38 loops within the Alliance, and over 70 other loops beyond the Alliance.

The OCEAN Alliance is scheduled to commence operation from April 2017, following all necessary regulatory approvals.

"APL will be well-placed as a formidable container shipping carrier as we stand amongst the strongest forces behind the Alliance," said APL chief executive Nicolas Sartini. "While the Alliance will be characterised by unparalleled port coverage, frequent sailings and very competitive transit time, APL will continue to make a difference beyond the reliable transportation of cargoes from origin to destination.

"APL will persist in value creation and innovating shipping solutions that facilitate our customers' global connectivity and speed-to-market," Mr Sartini said.

As a carrier for 38 services of the Alliance, APL will serve seven major trades in Asia-North America (west coast), Asia-North America (east coast), Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Middle East, Asia-Red Sea and the transatlantic.

With access to a highly efficient fleet of some 350 vessels with 3.5 million TEU in total capacity, APL will leverage flexible slot capacity management to optimise economics.

As a standalone brand of the group, APL is steering forward as the trusted global reefer specialist with a proven track record in fulfilling highly-complex reefer cargo shipments.

Through special services such as APL's Eagle Stow that promises cargo availability within 12 hours of vessel cargo operation and ready-cargo on-chassis from the Global Gateway South Terminal in Los Angeles, APL seeks to offer the added-advantage for customers who demand quicker cargo availability and greater predictability in their supply chain.

Source : HKSG.