APL, the container shipping arm of Singapore-based NOL, says it will take delivery of the world's first "ocean-capable" 53-foot containers later this month on its weekly south China-LA service.
APL said its latest innovation - premium big-box service on a weekly basis - has the potential to make a significant difference to the economics of transpacific trade.
"Our objective is to move big-box economics farther back in the supply chain to the point where products are manufactured in Asia," said APL chief executive Ron Widdows. "We're responding to customers who want new levels of efficiency in their containerised trade."
APL said the 53-foot container is already used in domestic intermodal transportation in the US. But to date, 53-foot boxes have not been seaworthy. Instead, importers ship cargo to the US west coast in 20, 40 or 45-foot boxes, then trans-load - or transfer - shipments into 53-footer at US ports for truck or rail transport to final destinations.
APL said it is looking to change that with the new, reinforced 53-foot boxes that have been built for international trade and designed to withstand ocean voyages. That means cargo can now be transported from factories in Asia all the way to US store doors without trans-loading.
According to APL, 53-foot containers could become the transport method of choice for customers moving cargo to inland US destinations. The bigger boxes have 60 per cent more capacity than standard 40-foot containers as they are six inches wider. That extra space enables shippers to put more cargo into fewer containers.
"In the challenging, congested business environment we face today, with enormous escalation in rail and other inland transportation charges, our customers' primary drivers are speed, predictability and cost effectiveness," said Bob Sappio, APL's senior vice president for the transpacific trade.
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