APL's 2010 on-time record in Trans-Pacific 95%

Container shipping leader APL's on-time performance in the all-important Trans-Pacific Trade was 95% last year. In its final report on 2010 vessel reliability, the Singapore-based carrier said today that APL ships missed their arrival window just 12 times in 237 port calls to the U.S. West Coast.

"Schedule reliability is the cornerstone of customer service in container shipping," said APL President Eng Aik Meng. "While we're pleased with our performance in 2010, we won't be satisfied until we're 100% on-time."

APL's accounting of 2010 reliability, following a mid-year report last August, is being made available this week. It's visible at the carrier's website : www.apl.com.

The report measures reliability on the five Asia-to-U.S. West Coast services operated exclusively by APL vessels. The trade lane is watched closely as a barometer of global trade since it connects North American consumer markets with Asian manufacturing centers.

APL considers vessels on-time if they arrive within four hours of their scheduled arrival. Most carriers measure reliability on arrival windows that range from 12-to-24 hours. <Korea Shipping Gazette>