NOL APL ship

Global shipping and logistics firm APL today (9 October) announced the launch of Eagle Express service (EX1), a weekly US-flagged service that will connect key markets in North Asia with the US West Coast, as well as serve the US inland regions via rail.

The port rotation of the Eagle Express service is: Qingdao – Shanghai – Busan – Los Angeles – Oakland – Dutch Harbor – Yokohama – Busan – Naha – Qingdao – Shanghai.

With end-to-end operational control by the container carrier, APL says this exclusive service has been meticulously designed to provide shippers with maximum schedule reliability.

“The Eagle Express service is characterised by a well-formulated network design which will be optimally supported by a dedicated fleet of APL vessels as well as our highly-efficient terminal and rail operations,” said Kenneth Glenn, APL president.

APL said that shippers are expected to benefit from seamless connectivity at the port of Los Angeles where APL-run US-flagged vessels expeditiously discharge containers at APL’s Global Gateway South, Southern California’s best-in-class terminal. From there, 11 weekly APL-dedicated LinerTrainTM services directly depart on-dock for express transits to key inland destinations, including Chicago, Memphis, Dallas, Houston and New York.

The Eagle Express service features speedy transits to Los Angeles - just 13 days from Shanghai and 11 days from Busan. Additionally, Tuesday vessel arrival in Los Angeles assures same-week local cargo availability.

“We are committed to adding robustness to the supply chains of our customers. Whether it is shipment to the US West Coast or her inland destinations, time-sensitive shippers can now take advantage of the superior transit times and on-time assurance offered by APL’s Eagle Express service,” added Glenn.

As one of the exclusive services to call the ports of Dutch Habour and Naha of Japan, westbound shippers can count on the Eagle Express to gain access to these markets, APL said. Meanwhile, shipment from Dutch Habour to Yokohama via this service will take a mere seven days.

APL will deploy six vessels with a nominal capacity of 5,100 TEU each for the service. The first sailing of the Eagle Express service will depart Qingdao on 1 November 2015.