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APL to Launch All-New Direct Indian Subcontinent Express Service
Singapore, Oakland CA, London, 12 Feb 2004 - Global container carrier, APL, is set to further enhance its leading position in the fast-growing Indian Subcontinent market with the introduction of a new direct service next month. The weekly service, known as the Singapore Subcontinent Express (SSX), will provide one of the industry's fastest direct connections between Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Indian west coast port of Nhava Sheva, which is the gateway to India's west and northern hinterlands. It is here that industries - notably consumer electronics and the automotive sector - are flourishing, making products primarily for domestic consumption. China and North Asia-based manufacturers are the main suppliers of these industries, and demand for their products has been steadily increasing, aided by India's decision to reduce import duty on a wide range of products. APL's Vice President for the Intra-Asia Trade, Eng Aik Meng, said, "The SSX is more than a best-in-class transportation option for customers who need to get their products to the global markets quickly and reliably. By providing benchmark transit times from the Far East, the service is equally attractive to customers seeking to sell their products domestically, or supply manufacturers. Above all, the SSX shows APL's continued commitment to a region where we have been a leader for more than 30 years." To this end, the SSX will provide some of the industry's fastest transit times for cargoes originating in Japan, South Korea, South East Asia, Taiwan and China, whose trade with the Indian Subcontinent is growing. Moreover, the SSX connects to APL's global network via the key hub of Singapore. The SSX will deploy two vessels with a capacity of 1,500 TEU on a port rotation of Singapore, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Singapore. The first sailing from Singapore is scheduled for March 3, 2004. For more information on APL's services visit www.apl.com About APL Media Inquiries |
