Landmark Agreement Puts U.S. Cadets On APL’s Global Fleet

For the first time, international container vessels to support maritime academy training

WASHINGTON, D.C. JAN. 2, 2008 – Global container carrier APL announced an agreement today to train U.S. maritime academy cadets aboard its internationally flagged containerships.

Under terms of a partnership with the U.S. Maritime Administration, cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and all six state maritime academies will be able to sail on board vessels operated by APL. It’s the first agreement ever signed to place American cadets on international container vessels.

“U.S. cadets have long had training opportunities on APL’s U.S.-registered vessels,” said APL CEO Ron Widdows, who signed the agreement with Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton. “Under this agreement we can provide even more support to our U.S. Flag shipping by creating more opportunities for the academies.”

The public-private partnership represents a formal agreement to provide sea tours for maritime academy cadets onboard vessels trading internationally. The training and experience they receive are expected to give them more employment opportunities worldwide after they graduate.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is located at Kings Point, NY. The six state academies include:

• The California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA;
• The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, MI;
• The Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME;
• The Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA;
• The State University of New York Maritime College, Fort Schuyler, NY; and
• The Texas Maritime Academy, Galveston, TX.

About APL
APL is a global container shipping company 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 shipping and logistics company. APL Web site: www.apl.com

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