APL introduces new Laem Chabang West Asia Express (LWX)

Singapore, 24 March 2008 - APL, a global leader in container shipping, is enhancing its Intra-Asia service offering with the introduction of a new Laem Chabang West Asia Express (LWX) service, starting on 5 April.

APL is the first carrier to launch this direct service from Laem Chabang to Karachi. The service offers the fastest transit time from Thailand and Singapore to Karachi. In recent years, trade between Thailand and Pakistan, and the rest of the Middle East Gulf, has been robust.

"APL continues to lead the market with this latest service offering. The new LWX service is driven by the strong growth potential of emerging markets like Thailand, Pakistan and the Middle East, particularly in consumer electronic goods," said Jason Wong, APL's Vice President, Intra-Asia, Middle East & Australia Trade.

"This new service will also enhance our network coverage of the Indian Subcontinent and offer our customers better frequency and flexibility," he added.

The LWX service will deploy four, APL-operated 2,500 TEU vessels along the route. Port rotation for this service is: Laem Chabang, Singapore, Karachi, Jebel Ali, Damman, Karachi, Singapore and Laem Chabang.

The APL Busan will be the first vessel deployed on this new route and will depart from Laem Chabang on 5 April.

About APL
APL is a global container shipping company offering more than 60 weekly services and nearly 300 calls at more than 90 ports in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. It also combines world-class intermodal operations with leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), a global shipping and logistics company.

APL Web site: www.apl.com