APL >> Company History

>1848 International shipping >1867 First Trans-Pacific steamship service >1973 First ever container shipment to India (Cochin) >1979 First dedicated express container train across the US >1982 First 45-ft containers >1984 Pioneers double-stack train service >1984 Worldwide online cargo tracing for customers >1986 First 48-ft containers in South China >1988 World’s first “post-Panamax” containerships enter service >1988 First 48-ft containers for domestic shipments >1988 First double-stack train service to Mexico for automotive parts shipments >1990 First 53-ft containers for domestic shipments >1993 Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) >1995 Second generation “post-Panamax” containerships >1995 Launches APL.com – industry’s first website >1996 Adds e-commerce transactions to website, including tracking and BL Print >1997 “Super Terminals” in Los Angeles and Seattle >1999 HomePort® – customizable website that centralizes shipment info and transactions >2001 Launches BL Print converted to secure document printing >2002 GT Nexus SPARK EDI program >2003 XpressPort – space & equipment guarantee booking product in Asia-Europe trade >2003 First ever longan fruit shipment from China to the US using cold treatment >2004 Industry’s first customizable schedules tool >2005 Real Time Locating System (active RFID) technology at Global Gateway South terminal