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San Juan, 01 August
2002 – APL has become the only global container transportation company to operate
a full-service, wholly owned business in Puerto Rico, to be known as APL de Puerto
Rico.
"The creation of the new company, and the naming of Jose A. Vazquez, an 18-year veteran
of Puerto Rico's transportation and logistics industry, as its general manager, signify
our strong confidence in the future of the island's intra-regional and global trade,"
said Manny Fernandez, APL's president, Latin American region, based in Miami.
APL links Puerto Rico on a weekly basis with key intra-regional markets, and with
North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Benefits to Puerto Rico Importers and Exporters
APL has operated for many years in Puerto Rico using agency representation to provide
sales and customer support. These functions will now be provided directly to customers
by the company itself. Fernandez said establishment of APL de Puerto Rico underscores
APL's growing commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean, and will enable the company
to work more closely with customers and respond more quickly to their needs.
The wholly owned unit, added Vazquez, will also be better positioned to introduce
APL's award-winning, Web-based services to help customers in Puerto Rico save time
and money in managing their shipments.
"These services include electronic booking, tracking, accounting, payments for container
storage (demurrage) via credit card, documentation support, and also tracking by email
for those not using a Web browser."
Headed by Respected Shipping Expert
Vazquez, who most recently headed a large shipping and logistics agency in Puerto
Rico, is well known to the island's exporters and importers, as well as to government
agencies and shipping officials, according to Pedro Nevarez, APL's managing director
for Central America and the Caribbean.
Vazquez is also experienced in finance, having worked in the banking industry both
in Puerto Rico and New York, including four years with the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC). He holds a BA degree in Business Administration, with a minor
in Finance and Psychology, from Inter American University, San Juan.
"Jose's leadership, experience and expertise," said Nevarez, "will help ensure that
APL customers receive the finest and most reliable container service between Puerto
Rico and all its key markets.
As an illustration of APL's expanding commitment to Latin America, during the past
12 months the shipping company has expanded its operations to wholly owned businesses
in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama -- in addition to Puerto Rico, and has increased
its investment in new information technology, including establishment of the Spanish-language
Web site at www.apl.com. APL's sister company, APL
Logistics, is also expanding rapidly in the region.
The San Juan office is located close to the Puerto Nuevo port facilities. It will
initially be staffed by six employees, all fully dedicated to serving APL's customers,
and Vazquez expects it to grow in the future.
The company expressed sincere appreciation to Inchcape Shipping Services, the agency
that has handled its customer support and sales functions for the past seven years.
Inchcape will continue to provide vessel-related services for APL, and International
Shipping Services (Intership) will continue to provide gate and stevedoring services.
About APL - APL provides customers around the world with container transportation
services through a network combining high-quality intermodal operations with state-of-the-art
information technology. APL is the container transportation arm of Singapore-based
NOL Group, a global transportation and logistics company engaged in shipping and related
businesses. Web site: www.apl.com
- End -
Media inquiries:
Sarah Lockie, NOL (Singapore), +1-65-6371 5022; or email sarah_lockie@nol.com.sg
David Glendining, NOL (Singapore), +1-65-6371 5311; or email david_glendining@nol.com.sg
John Pachtner, APL (Oakland), +1-510-272-7208; or email john_pachtner@apl.com
Mike Sierra, APL (Miami), +1-305-468-3068; or email mike_sierra@apl.com
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