APL launches new Baltic feeder service

Singapore: 18 May 2006 – APL has announced the launch of a new North Europe feeder service, the Lower Baltic Express (LBX). Commencing from Hamburg on June 5, APL will deploy the 400 TEU Euro Storm on a fixed-day, weekly frequency between Hamburg, Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Gdynia (Poland).

The service will be operated in association with Team Lines, the Hamburg-based short-sea specialist. As a result APL will also gain access to capacity on Team Lines’ services between Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Finland (Helsinki), Latvia (Riga), Estonia (Tallinn), Gdynia and Klaipeda.

LBX will provide convenient connections with APL’s wide network of deep-sea container services linking Europe with Asia and the Americas.

“The launch of our own service in the lower Baltic is a response to growing demand, both import and export, especially following the opening of our own organization in Poland last year,” commented Dave Appleton, President, Europe Region. “By operating dedicated feeders where there is sufficient demand we can also retain control of the cargo within our system, optimise cargo connections and enhance service levels to our customers,” he added.

LBX will depart Hamburg on Tuesdays, Klaipeda on Thursdays and Gdynia on Fridays.

About APL
 APL is a global container transportation company offering more than 60 weekly services and nearly 300 calls at more than 90 ports in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. It combines world-class intermodal operations with leading IT tools and e-commerce. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), a global logistics and transportation company. APL Web site: www.apl.com

Media Contacts

APL
Mr. Paul Barrett
Director - Corporate Communications
Telephone: (65) 6371-7959
paul_barrett@nol.com.sg