Changes at APL: stronger focus on trades, new President for Europe

Two long-time execs take on bigger roles with container shipping line

Singapore, 28 June, 2010: Container shipping leader APL is moving two senior executives into new roles to strengthen global trade lane management and build further momentum in the European market.

The company said today it has named European Regional President Dave Appleton to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Liner Trade Management. It also said that Detlev Kerber, Vice President of the Asia-Europe Trade, will replace Appleton as the President in Europe.

Both are 30-year veterans of the maritime industry. Both begin their new assignments Aug. 1.

“We’re putting two capable leaders with decades of international experience in place to grow our business,” said APL President Eng Aik Meng. “They’ll help us meet the building demand as global trade recovers and deliver the service reliability our customers depend on.”

Appleton, who had been APL’s European President since 2002, will now manage all the carrier’s global trade lanes. He’ll work with executives in planning, operations and regional management to refine APL’s ocean and land transportation services.

Kerber will manage sales, business development and operations throughout Europe. APL, the world’s fourth-largest container carrier, has more than 20 ocean services connecting Europe to Asia and the Americas. As the Asia-Europe trade executive, Kerber was responsible for most of those.

Appleton will be based in Singapore, the corporate headquarters of APL’s parent company, NOL Group. Kerber will move to the London suburb of Uxbridge, headquarters for APL’s European region.

“These are both critical roles for us,” said Ron Widdows, CEO of NOL Group, the parent company of APL. “Detlev is managing a dynamic market where the level of activity remains vibrant and Dave is working to bring consistent service and reliability to all of our trade lanes. We’re counting on their leadership to help us meet the growing needs of our customers.”

APL said it hopes to shortly announce a new Vice President for its Asia-Europe trade.

About APL
APL is a global container shipping business offering more than 60 weekly services and more than 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide. It combines world-class intermodal operations with leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), global shipping, logistics and marine terminals company. APL Web site: www.apl.com

APL Web site: www.apl.com