APL back in Malta

American President Lines (APL), a fully owned subsidiary of Neptune Orient Line (NOL), who recently celebrated their first anniversary of trans-shipment operations at Malta Freeport, have announced they will now start offering their services to the local business community.

APL is a leading global shipping line, currently ranked fifth in the world, with an annual capacity of over 1.5 million containers. Their extensive range of services cover all major trade routes.

APL provides customers around the world with container transportation services through a network combining high-quality intermodal operations with state-of-the-art information technology.

APL is proud to include Malta in this network of global coverage and with immediate effect can offer weekly sailings to and from the United Kingdom/North West Continent, the Far East and the United States.

APL, under their previous name NOL, was active and well received in the local market from 1996 to 1998, when they formed part of the Grand Alliance.

The process of distributing goods is changing at Internet speed. APL is a leader in introducing improvements that support these changes, especially in the areas of information technology and electronic commerce, so that APL's customers reap the benefits of their increased competitiveness and efficiency. The goal is to make it easier for customers, such as manufacturers and retailers, to transact business and manage their global supply chains.

These changes in supply chain management, frequently powered by the explosive growth of the Internet, are driving down costs and, through improved control of freight, can even generate new revenue and profit opportunities for customers.

This idea is at the core of APL's business philosophy and of its role in leading change. Generating products and services that enable APL and its customers to take control of their businesses, despite economic cycles and other influences in the marketplace, is the key to mutual, consistent, long-term profitability and competitiveness.

APL, the global container transportation operator, has been the leader of this kind of change from the beginning. Back in 1867, its predecessor company pitted steam against sail, introducing the first regular trans-Pacific steamship service, putting an end to the uncertain transit times of sailing ships.

Today, that commitment to reliable service is just as strong. One of the most dramatic changes brought by APL has made the use of the Internet and e-mail to let customers monitor shipments using various visibility tools. For example, APL customers gain 'visibility' or current insight into their supply chain using HomePort - the shipping industry's first customisable Website.

HomePort puts APL's transportation resources all on one page, giving customers quick, easy access to the information and transactions they need. One can even customise the content and layout to meet individual requirements. This enables customers to make decisions that get the right product to market at the right time.

Many customers are also using their customised APL HomePort portal to review their critical shipping documents (bills-of-lading), submitting instructions and making changes electronically, and printing final documents at their own premises, rather than having to courier copies of the document among multiple parties. This eliminates redundant work, speeds up settlement and reduces interest expenses.

For more information contact APL's local agents W.J. Parnis England Ltd, 60 South Street, Valletta, tel: 2124-4306; fax: 2123-3093; e-mail: info@wjpe.com.