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Visakhapatnam,
India, 7 Oct 2003 – APL has launched the first fixed-day weekly berthing service at
the newly opened Visak Container Terminal (VCT), providing shippers with greater efficiency
and control in managing their operations.
Mr Ian Claxton, Managing Director, APL India said, “As the new container terminal at Visakhapatnam
offers shore gantries, we decided to capitalise on this capability by switching the Visak
port call from the Bay of Bengal Service to the Madras Feeder Service, which allows us
to put non-geared vessels into VCT for the first time. This means more space on a service
where space has been tight, and a more efficient service using fast, modern tonnage.
“Importantly, it also means we can offer additional reefer capabilities with this service
– something that our customers have been looking for for some time,” he added.
APL-operated vessel Tiger Bridge and her sister vessel Tiger Sky now sail Singapore – Port
Klang – Chennai – Visak – Port Klang – Singapore. The vessels berth at VCT every Sunday
evening and set sail the following morning.
Elaborated Mr Claxton, “Another benefit of this fixed-day weekly service to customers is
that it allows them to better plan their schedules and gives them greater flexibility with
regard to their Bill of Lading since all operational work takes place over the weekend.”
As an added convenience, APL has partnered with VCT and the Container Cooperation of India
(Concor) in providing customers with a quick and direct Inland service offerings to Delhi
through the new Concor intermodal service from VCT.
APL was the first carrier to offer this service when VCT was declared a gateway port in
late-September, permitting the transfer of containers to and from VCT on Concor’s railheads.
The high-speed intermodal service enables Northern Indian companies importing/exporting
to destinations in the US (West Coast), Southeast Asia and Greater China to reach ports
along the Indian West Coast more quickly than before.
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 Neptune
Orient Lines, a global container transportation and logistics company.
Media
Inquiries
Americas:
Scott Dailey, tel: +1 650-369-4451 or scott_dailey@apl.com
Asia/Middle East:
Yin-Fern Lim, tel: +65-6371-5483 or yflim@apl.com
Europe:
Michael Haig, tel: +44-1737-248-300 or info@isiscomms.com
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