APL OPENS BRANCH OFFICE IN MOSCOW

APL OPENS BRANCH OFFICE IN MOSCOW    APL, the container transportation and logistics arm of Neptune Orient Lines Ltd., said it has established an office in Moscow.
   APL obtained accreditation with the Russian Ministry of Transport, and has established APL (Russia). The new entity will work closely with APL's local agents, MCT Shipping, who will continue to handle freight bookings, operations and commercial matters.
   'We will continue to draw strength from our close relationship with MCT,' said Poul Kristensen, APL's managing director of Russia and Baltic States. 'Our objective is to build further on their substantial expertise in this market, and we're looking forward to growing APL's presence here together.'
   The move follows APL's recent entry into the neighboring Baltic state of Latvia. APL said its customers will benefit from direct representation in both countries, as Russian cargoes are a significant part of the throughput through Latvia's Riga port.