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Oakland, CA-based American President Lines Inc. (APL) is reducing charges on Asian-bound waste paper exported for recycling by 22% to 27% on Jul. 29, 1996. The announcement surprised APL's trans-Pacific competitors, who were relying on a stable westbound market to ease up the depressed east-bound market. APL's move reflects the export trade's entry into a volatile phase characterized by relatively stable rates despite a declining trade growth.

The ocean shipping industry is characterized by stiff competition and volatility. American President Lines Ltd. started the trend towards rate cuts by decreasing its rates for the US-Japan route. As a result, Japan bound shippers are expected to lose approximately eight billion dollars in 1996. Moreover, the development of new ships with increased volume capacity will further heighten the competition for cargo., For all practical purposes, the current plight of ocean carriers serving the United States from Asia can be traced back to the second half of last year. That's when American [...]

American President Lines Inc. (APL) has announced a unilateral cut in its rates for textiles and furniture shipped from Asia to North America. The move has prompted other members of the Asia-North America Eastbound Rate Agreement (Anera) to make rate cuts of their own. Anera executives stated that APL's decision has made an impact on the rate structure for the two commodities.

Shipping lines serving Japan are imposing freight rate discounts to match American President Lines Inc.'s (APL) reduced prices. However, some carriers and shippers are concerned that APL may again introduce rate cuts in the face of intense competition. Others are worried that aggressive carriers with smaller market shares may go with the trend, launching their own rate cuts. APL decided to impose discounts in an effort to convince its shipping conference to reform its rules that make it difficult for carriers to respond to outside competition.

In a move expected to trigger a high-seas price war, American President Lines plans to slash its prices for Japanese shippers before month's end. The $2.6 billion Oakland-based company belongs [...]

A top shipping line that carries wastepaper to the Pacific Rim postponed an up to $10/metric ton rate decrease in August after exporters and brokers called the move 'unfair' and [...]

Transpacific wastepaper shippers have criticized a decision by American President Lines (APL) to change its rate reduction policy. The shippers claim that the decision has exposed them to higher shipping costs for a low-value commodity such as wastepaper. APL, however, has denied that pressure from other members of the Transpacific Westbound Rate Agreement prompted the decision to scale back the $10-a-ton rate cut to only $2-a-ton., Denies it was pressured by conference lines. Wastepaper shippers say action stuck them with higher costs. Transpacific wastepaper shippers are angry at a decision by American President Lines to scale [...]

The apparel industry is enjoying a reduction in cargo shipping rates from the Far East to the West Coast. American President Lines broke with the rate-setting cartel, Asia North America Eastbound Rate Agreement, and offered lower rates. Eight other carriers followed their lead. In June 1996, the price has been cut by more than half from the May 1995 rate., WASHINGTON (FNS)--Rates for apparel and textiles shipped to the U.S. from the Far East have taken another substantial plunge, thanks to mounting competition among warring ocean carriers. 'We have better [...]