Journal of Commerce names APL as best carrier in first annual award

The Journal of Commerce Group (JoC) presented its outstanding containe
r carrier award to APL, the global container transportation and logist
ics unit of Singapore-based NOL Group on Dec. 7.
The award was accepted by Ed Aldridge, president of APL's Americas reg
ion, headquartered in Oakland, California. It was a highlight of JoC's
first annual International Trade Logistics Awards luncheon, held in N
ew York City.
APL was recognized for its effectiveness in using information technol
ogy to help customers manage their freight shipments and control their
supply chains and for overall service excellence, said Peter M. Tirsc
hwell, editor of JoC Week and JoC Online.
"This award is intended to recognize that international trade is a com
plex process fraught with potential for inefficiency, breakdown, and e
xcess cost.
Our goal is to recognize service providers that are making the process
of international trade more efficient and less complex," said Tirschw
ell. "APL is a leader among the container carriers in using informatio
n technology and logistics to make trade flow more smoothly."
In accepting the award, Aldridge said the company will be "turning up
the burners" in the new year in several areas. "We are expanding our s
cope to quickly become not just a global transportation provider, but
a world-class provider of logistics and supply-chain management servic
es," he said. "We are also continuing to use information technology as
a competitive differentiator -- sometimes on a proprietary basis, for
customers who want to deal with APL one-on-one, and also in concert w
ith other providers on a carrier neutral basis. And we are raising the
bar on operational excellence across the board."
Earlier this year, APL was named by InformationWeek Magazine to its li
st of the 500 most innovative users of information technology, and by
BtoB Magazine as one of the top business-to-business web sites. In bot
h cases, APL was the only global container operator recognized.
The other winners honored in JoC's awards presentation were Gap Inc.,
San Francisco, named as best shipper (transportation customer); and Ex
peditors International, Seattle, named best intermediary (customs brok
er and freight forwarder).