APL move from Oakland to cost city 350 jobs
Neptune Orient Lines' decision to move the headquarters of its Oakland-based subsidiary APL will cost the city more than 350 jobs but will not involve the APL terminal at the Port of Oakland.
NOL announced Wednesday it was cutting more than 1,000 jobs company-wide, mostly in North America, and would seek a more 'cost-effective location' to set up the APL headquarters. NOL's Singapore headquarters will also lose up to 50 workers.
Employees learned of the decision Tuesday via an e-mail from Ron Widdows, NOL Group president and chief executive officer.
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, meanwhile, has been in touch with APL and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in an attempt to find a way to keep the shipping line in Oakland.
However, APL spokesman Mike Zampa told the Oakland Tribune Wednesday, “We’re not looking to negotiate more favorable terms. It is our intention to move.'
APL, which has been in Oakland for 35 years, cited the high cost of office space, residential real estate, labor and cost of living in the Bay Area as factors that went into the decision.
While APL may be leaving its corporate offices in downtown Oakland behind, the announcement should not affect the firm's operations at the port, according to the port.
APL recently renewed its lease with the port for the nearly 80-acre terminal and according to port officials would have to keep paying the minimum annual payment, whether or not it ships any goods through the terminal.
APL move from Oakland to cost city 350 jobs
