SINGAPORE's Neptune orient Lines' (NOL) container unit, APL, posted a 12 per cent increase in volume between February 12 and March 11 year on year but at a slightly lower rate.

    The volume growth was attributed to growing demand on the intra-Asia and Asia-Europe trade lanes, said an NOL statement.

    APL's total volume increased to 212,700 FEU in this four-week period from 189,100 FEU the same period of last year. For the year to date, its total volume increased eight per cent to 534,300 FEU from 496,600 FEU last year.

    But APL's average revenue per FEU fell one per cent year on year, indicating a total of 34 per cent rate decline from the first period of this year ending February 11. This is because of a continuous decline of Asia-Europe freight rates, which have affected the income of all trade lanes of the carrier.

    Revenue was US$2,560 per FEU against $2,575 per FEU a year earlier and $2,654 in the first period of this year ending February 11. For the year to date, average revenue per FEU was $2,616, up six per cent from $2,477 year on year.

(Source:http://www.schednet.com)