APL Launches Direct Vietnam Service

Vietnam is one of a handful of Asian countries anticipating good growth in its exports in 2009. Up to now, Vietnam exporters had to use smaller feeder ship to link up with larger vessels in order to reach consumer markets. Most of the expansion of trade will be with North America, Vietnam’s largest export market.

During the first week of June the APL Denver, a 4,250 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) will make a call at Saigon Port-PSA, the country’s first operational deepwater container terminal that serves Ho Chi Mihn City. Transit time from Vietnam to the US West Coast is 15 days.

Exporters will be able to take advantage of the shipping line’s offerings that include APL Guaranteed Direct, a day-definite money-back guaranteed full container load service. Through APL LinerTrain service, dedicated cargo trains meet APL ships, transload to rail on dock and depart from Seattle and Los Angeles to inland US destinations.

In commenting on the new route, Eng Aik Meng, APL president, said, “The launch of the service is recognition that Vietnam has not only established a strong market presence among the world’s leading shippers and manufacturers, but it is delivering on its commitment to modernize transportation infrastructure such as state-of-the-art port facilities capable of handling large deepwater containerships. We’re proud to be part of Vietnam’s transformation.”