APM Terminals

“The challenges the shipping industry has faced in 2009 have made this, by far, the most difficult year we have encountered,” she says.

“Ocean carriers and terminal operators have responded in a number of ways that have all been aimed at increasing operational efficiency and effectiveness in the face of the world’s economic meltdown.”

The latest industry figures show significant declines at US West Coast ports, she says. “While we do not release our numbers specifically, what we are seeing is in line with the overall volume declines [to end September] in each of the locations where we operate – Los Angeles 16%, Oakland 12%, Tacoma 12%.”

APM operates Pier 400 at Los Angeles and its other major operation on the West Coast is at Tacoma. It will cease operations in Oakland at the end of this year.

No major investments are planned, says Ms Enedy. APM has reached an agreement with NYK that will bring the line’s Pacific northwest cargo through APM’s Tacoma facility from 2012, but it does not expect to need additional facilities to cope with this.

APM’s West Coast facilities are adopting the three-prong strategy of the global group in addressing the crisis – earning customers, taking costs out and driving performance, “with the ultimate goal of emerging out of the crisis stronger than before”.

“The global economy is cyclical and we are confident that it will come back,” says Ms Enedy. “Unfortunately, it’s not possible to say when that will be. Looking towards 2010, our focus will remain on expanding our customer base, as well as additional cost reductions and operational improvements at existing terminals.”