APL ships join U.S. weather pilot program

APL ships join U.S. weather pilot program    Three APL transpacific containerships are participating in a pilot program to improve global weather reporting.
   The first vessel to be fitted with a satellite-reporting weather module was the “President Polk,” in Seattle, to be followed soon by the “President Kennedy” and the “APL Japan.”
   The module consists of three major components and is installed on the forward masthead of the ship to send weather condition updates via satellite to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration every three hours, or every hour in storm conditions. The information will help scientists predict the weather and monitor global climate change.
   “APL is pleased to support this essential project,” said Captain Tey Yoh Huat, APL’s vice president, marine operations. “The information gathered will also be valuable to the ships and to customers with time sensitive shipments in forecasting weather patterns and scheduling our routes.”