SINGAPORE's APL, the container shipping arm of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), has announced it will scrap four US-flagged containerships as the American retreat from Iraq and Afghanistan reduces military cargo.
APL said it continues to have ample US-flag capacity to handle diminishing military shipments from Afghanistan and Iraq. "APL remains 100 per cent committed to the US flag. It's part of our heritage," said APL vice president Eric Mensing.
The 4,300-TEU ships, the President Adams, President Jackson, President Polk and President Truman, built 30 years ago, were among the first postpanamax containerships (recalling the day when APL was known as the American President Lines) which are now operated by APL's US-flag unit, the Washington-based APL Maritime.
"They were innovative and state-of-the-art technology when they were built. They were wonderful ships that served APL well for many years," said Mr Mensing.
With the ship scrapping, the G-6 alliance's AEX service connecting the US east coast with the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Singapore will be recast with APL continuing to operate five US-flag ships along with five other vessels flying other flags from various alliance partners.
APL will continue to operate nine US flagged ships - five in the Pacific and four in the AEX service - under the Maritime Security Programme, which subsidises US-flag operations.
CONTAINER
25 April 2013 - 21:18
APL scraps 4 US-flagged box ships as Iraq, Afghan military cargo declines
SINGAPORE's APL, the container shipping arm of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), has announced it will scrap four US-flagged containerships as the American retreat from Iraq and Afghanistan reduces military Cargo.
CONTAINER
25 April 2013 - 21:18
APL scraps 4 US-flagged box ships as Iraq, Afghan military cargo declines
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