APL Jakarta, an APL container vessel, made its maiden call at Westports in Port Klang on September 12.

The 3,100-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) vessel with an overall length of 220.38m made its maiden voyage on the Asia Australia Express (AAX) service, whose members include ANL and NYK

The AAX service links Singapore and Port Klang with ports in Australia, such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Freemantle.

APL Jakarta will call at Westports at an interval of every 28 days.Arriving from Singapore, the vessel's captain, Banciu Ion, a Romanian, gave his thumbs up to Westports for its berthing provisions and working facilities.

In a statement, Westports said from September, ANL Container Line and fellow member lines of the AAX consortium will make the port their home at Port Klang. The move is aimed at consolidating their services at Port Klang. ANL chief executive officer John Lines, who called on Westports executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam recently, said due to the rationalisation of the AAX service, they have decided to come to Westports.

As a member of the CMA-CGM Group, ANL is increasingly moving containers on global services of CMA-CGM vessels, which calls at Westports. To further signify their commitment to Westports, ANL's general manager Noel Dent visited the port on September 13 and complimented the port on its infrastructure, quick turnaround time and high productivity rate.

"ANL's move to Westports coincides with our 50th anniversary celebrations. Beginning next year and as early as February, we shall be increasing our vessel size to above 4,000 TEUs from the current 2,000 to 3,000 TEUs. This certainly reflects our believe and confidence in the port's ability to handle bigger vessels," Dent said. ANL becomes the latest shipping line to join Westports in Port Klang this year.

The NST, 25.9.2006