APL conducts third global test of supply chain security

Coast Guard, Customs, FBI and National Guard take part in day-long Oakland exercise

Oakland, CA, Oct. 8, 2007 – Container shipping leader APL has successfully tested its international supply chain protocols for the third time in 12 months.

In an all-day exercise last week at the Port of Oakland, the global carrier convened 100 public and private sector participants to study how emergency response teams can collaborate with the maritime industry to secure containerized trade.

“We put our policies, procedures and people to the test,” said Earl Agron, Vice President of Security for APL. “And we proved that we can work effectively with our partners in law enforcement and government.”

Teams from the California National Guard, Customs and Border Protection, FBI and U.S. Coast Guard took part in the event aboard the containership APL Korea. They were joined by emergency response units from the Oakland Police and Fire departments.

APL Operations and Security officers from the U.S., Europe and Asia flew in for the exercise. Many had attended similar events conducted by APL in Singapore last April and Seattle a year ago. “We learn and improve every time we hold one of these exercises,” said Agron.

During last week’s simulation in Oakland, emergency response officers and APL Security executives established a joint command to investigate the origin and nature of suspicious cargo delivered from overseas.

Military and law enforcement agencies tested a variety of security technologies during the exercise. Experts from the National Guard’s 95th Civil Support Team used radiation screening equipment to scan the contents of containers. Customs officers employed a Mobile Radiation Portal Monitor and Gamma Ray Scanner.

APL successfully demonstrated its ability to integrate both vessel and terminal security plans during the security simulation, including a successful evacuation of vessel crew and terminal labor.

About APL
APL is a global container transportation business offering more than 60 weekly services and nearly 300 calls at more than 90 ports in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. It combines world-class intermodal operations with leading edge IT 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 Enquiries:

Mike Zampa
Telephone: (1) 510 272 7380
michael_zampa@apl.com