APL’s on-time record in Trans-Pacific hits 94%

APL’s on-time performance in the Trans-Pacific trade was 94% for the first half of 2011. In its mid-year report on 2011 vessel reliability, the Singapore-based carrier said recently that APL ships missed their arrival window only seven times out of 114 port calls to the US West Coast from January to June 2011. APL attributed delays to unseasonal typhoons, heavy fog and the earthquake in Japan.

“Schedule reliability is the cornerstone of customer service in container shipping,” said APL President Ken Glenn. “We will continue to deliver a reliable product in the Trans-Pacific and pursue an even better on-time performance.”

The report measures reliability on the five Asia-to-US West Coast services operated exclusively by APL vessels. The Trans-Pacific is watched closely as a barometer of global trade since it connects North American consumer markets with Asian manufacturing centers. APL’s report comes just as the traditional peak-season is set to begin in the trade.

APL considers vessels on-time if they arrive within four hours of their scheduled arrival. Most carriers measure reliability on arrival windows that range from 12 to 24 hours.