Major agricultural exporters again name APL Carrier of the Year

Specialty Crop Trade Council honors shipping line for second year in a row

Sacramento, 6 April 2009 - A key agricultural export association has again named APL its Carrier of the Year. The award was presented this month by The Specialty Crop Trade Council (SCTC), representing more than 140 dried fruit and nut shippers in the U.S.

It was the second time in two years the influential trade group has recognized APL, the world’s seventh-largest container shipping line.

“Agricultural products are a growing part of the U.S. export economy,” pointed out John Bowe, President of the Americas for APL. “We’re proud to support that growth, and honored to be recognized by an organization that is at the heart of global trade.”

The 84-year-old trade council represents merchants and packers who export 95% of all the dried fruit and tree nuts produced in California. In 2008, APL transported cargo for about half of the council’s membership. The product was shipped from five origin points in the U.S. to destinations in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Mediterranean.

SCTC said that its selection of APL as Carrier of the Year was based on the total containers shipped in a calendar year.

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

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), global shipping, logistics and marine terminals company. APL Web site: www.apl.com