APL Logistics kicks off China-to-U.S. FCL guaranteed service

APL Logistics has announced the inauguration of a new guaranteed full-containerload service from Asia to most destinations in the continental United States.

The APL Guaranteed Continental service, connecting the ports of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chiwan and Yantian with virtually any continental U.S. ZIP code, guarantees delivery of full-containerload cargo on a specified date, or shippers receive a 20 percent refund, APL Logistics said.

The new service builds on APL's OceanGuaranteed service, kicked off last year, that guarantees day-definite service for less-than-containerload cargo. APL Logistics, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines, was designed to provide importers with a cost-effective, expedited surface alternative to air freight.

APL Logistics, with North American headquarters in Oakland, said that despite the success of the OceanGuaranteed service -- including a 99 percent on-time record -- customers expressed a need for quick, reliable FCL service from a single provider.

From the moment we introduced day-definite LCL service, customers told us they wanted it for their full-container shipments, said APL Logistics President Brian Lutt.

In a release, APL Logistics said the new APL Guaranteed Continental service will offer the industry's fastest transit times between key Chinese ports and U.S. locations. As an example, company said FCL shipments from Hong Kong to a consignee's door in Boston will take only 15 days.

The service prioritizes stowage on vessels at Chinese ports, guaranteeing that APL Guaranteed Continental containers are among the first loads discharged after vessels arrive at APL's marine terminals in Los Angeles and Seattle. APL GC boxes headed for 13 metropolitan or geographic areas are loaded onto specially designed long-haul chassis. These areas are: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, North and South Carolina, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Michigan, Nashville, New York-New Jersey (including parts of Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania), the Ohio Valley, and Reno.

APL GC cargo headed for other U.S. locations is transloaded into domestic highway trailers at APL Logistics Los Angeles-based facility.

Following loading aboard a truck, in both cases the APL GC cargo is then delivered non-stop to the consignee's door. Additional APL GC efficiencies are offered via full in-transit visibility of the APL GC shipment from port to door including en route updates from motor carriers, and simplified, single invoice customer payment.

In addition, APL Logistics said the service guarantees vessel space and priority marine terminal handling, even during the crowded peak shipping season. 

Source:American Shipper