APL loads first 53-footers on ship at Shenzhens Chiwan terminal

APL's first 53-foot ocean-capable containers have been loaded aboard the APL Philippines at Shenzhen for their first voyage to Los Angeles, reports Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine of Westport, Connecticut.

US retailers have snapped up the containers to take advantage of "big-box economics" on the trans-Pacific trade from Asia, said APL.

Larger containers enable shippers to load more cargo in Asia with fewer containers, said APL chief executive Ron Widdows. Fewer containers mean reduced expense, less handling and less congestion, he said, which all amount to improved transit times with no need to transfer cargo from smaller boxes into 53-footers at US distribution centres.

"We're taking a step we believe will ultimately improve cargo handling efficiency, reduce congestion on land and save money for our customers," said Mr Widdows. "That's big-box economics."

Said Bob Sappio, APL's transpacific vice president: "We took the first order of 53-foot containers from our manufacturer in China. There's a long list of shippers waiting for these boxes because they understand the potential for cost reduction and improved transit times."

The first cargo-laden "Ocean53" boxes were loaded at the Port of Chiwan. They're scheduled to arrive late next week at APL's Global Gateway South marine terminal in Los Angeles.

The Ocean53 containers are longer and wider than containers currently employed in ocean trade lanes. They're also built to withstand the rigors of deep-sea ocean containership transport, unlike 53-foot boxes already in use for American truck, rail and barge markets.