Singapore's APL named best ocean carrier, also tops in innovative IT

SINGAPORE-based carrier APL, the container shipping arm of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), has been awarded the "Global Ocean Carrier of the Year" and the "Innovation IT of the Year" by London's Containerisation International, winning over other leading rivals, among them, Maersk, CMA CGM and Hyundai Merchant Marine.

Said APL president Kenneth Glenn: "We're delighted to once more be recognised by industry peers for shipping excellence. This is an affirmation of our focus on providing customers with schedule reliability and service integrity."

The Innovation IT of the Year award was won in recognition of the company's development and implementation of its proprietary SMARTemp service, which uses satellite tracking to continually monitor the temperature and humidity of refrigerated containers carrying sensitive cargo. This makes sea freight a feasible choice for shippers with cargo traditionally shipped by air, said APL.

It was the second time in three weeks that APL was honoured as the world's top carrier. In September, it won the Ship Operator Award at the Lloyd's List global awards.

Other awards conferred to APL this year include Liner Owner/Operator of the Year by Seatrade Asia magazine in June, and best shipping line in both the transpacific and Asia-Europe trades at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards in April.

source: shippingazette.com / picture: google.com

APL Is Best Buy Top Carrier

APL has again been named Carrier of the Year by Best Buy, a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. It's the second year in a row that the Singapore-based container shipping line has won the award.

APL, which transports Best Buy cargo from China to the US, was selected based on a nine-point scorecard. Criteria included transit time, pier service, shipping schedule integrity, systems, vessel space integrity, equipment availability, arrival notice issuance, loss and damage claims, and origin bill of lading issuance.

APL began transporting Best Buy cargo in 2008 from the Chinese ports of Shanghai, Xiamen, Fuzhou and Yantian. Most of it is discharged at the carrier's terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. Some is transported to the US East Coast via the Panama Canal.

Best Buy is an international retailer with operations in the US, Canada, China, Europe and Mexico .

source: logasiamag.com / picture:google.com