APL Receives Enhanced Secure Trade Rating from Singapore Customs

APL is only ocean carrier and one of the first organisations to receive STP-plus rating

Singapore, January 20, 2009 - APL, the container shipping business of the NOL Group, has achieved STP-plus status as part of Singapore's Secure Trade Partnership (STP).

STP-plus is an enhanced tier of the STP programme – the voluntary supply chain security initiative introduced in 2007 by Singapore Customs.

STP-plus is awarded to companies which have in place robust security measures and best practices that meet the more stringent standards defined by the STP Criteria.

APL is one of the first organisations to achieve the higher rating from a total of 27 companies which have been certified under the STP programme.

APL Vice President for Security, Earl Agron, said: "As an organisation, we are committed to taking the concept of secure trade to a higher level. It is gratifying that Singapore Customs has provided official recognition of our efforts through the STP-plus accreditation."

Singapore Customs Assistant Director-General for Trade, Teo Siew Lan, said: "Due to varying degrees of awareness and preparedness when the STP programme was launched in 2007, Singapore Customs adopted a flexible approach through the STP Guidelines. In the course of the validation process, we recognise that some companies such as APL have put in place security measures that exceed the minimum standards. A year on, we felt it was essential and timely to recognise these companies' preparedness by according them with a higher status – the STP-Plus."

"Singapore's STP program supports APL’s core objective to contribute positively to the development of workable solutions to improve global supply chain security, while minimising the impact on trade flows," concluded Mr Agron.

For more information on STP go to www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/sup/STP-Plus.htm

For more information on APL’s global security initiatives go to http://www.apl.com/security/

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

Media Enquiries:
Paul Barrett
Telephone: (65) 6371 7959
paul_barrett@nol.com.sg