The elegant Japan, which belonged to APL’s predecessor, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Click on image to see a larger version.

Welcome. You’re about to experience a grand history that spans more than 150 years — 15 decades marked by exploration, innovation, and prosperity. It began with the California Gold Rush of 1849 and continues to unfold in today’s fast-paced global business arena. This is the history of APL and its forebears.

Over the course of these 150 years, the business that APL and its predecessors built has touched the lives of millions of people, involved virtually every country in the world, and shaped the future of transportation. Yet, even though you’ll be reading about an illustrious past, ours is a story that’s always been firmly focused on the future.

Dollar Line, another of APL’s forebears, was renowned for the luxury of its round-the-world passenger service. Click on image to see a larger version.

Choose any moment, and you’ll recognize an organization at the forefront of an industry. Beginning with the entrepreneurial spirit of William Henry Aspinwall, the leadership of the company we know today as APL has always been committed to progress. And you’ll see how that progress bridged geographic gaps and cultural differences in the Pacific, helping to build one of the largest trading areas in the world.

By viewing our Quicktime movie you’ll experience our history in motion. Graceful 19th century steamers will evolve into today’s ultramodern containerships, and APL’s famous luxury-liner era will come to life in all its style and splendor. You’ll also see how cargo was hoisted aboard ships using slings and hooks — a practice that’s hundreds of years old — and how containerization has streamlined the way cargo is transported today.

Problem seeing the movie? QuickTime plug-in is needed.

As you make your way through our story — whether by experiencing our history in narrative form or by timeline — you’re likely to see as much of the future as you do the past. And in the many historical photos of the people who played a part in the history of APL and its forebears, you’ll come to recognize an expression of anticipation, an eagerness to explore, and a desire to innovate.