APL joins MOL intra-Asia loop

   APL said Wednesday that it will enhance its Japan to Thailand and Philippines coverage as a slot operator in a tie-up with New World Alliance partner MOL.
   APL said the Japan-Thailand-Philippines (JTP) service will enhance its coverage of Japanese ports, in particular those of Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu and Nagoya. It will also call Korea.
   “Introducing the weekly JTP service will strengthen APL’s Intra-Asia shortsea network and better serve key production and consumption markets in the region,” said Jason Wong, APL vice president for Intra-Asia Trade. “The service will support a dynamic trade circle from Thailand and Philippines to Japan.”
   Port rotation for the JTP service will be: Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu, Nagoya, Pusan, Laem Chabang, Manila and Tokyo. APL will join the service with the sailing of the MOL Sparkle from Tokyo on Dec. 10 . MOL designates the intra-Asia string as it CBE service.