APL has entered into a slot-sharing arrangement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) for service from Japan to Thailand and the Philippines. The newly christened Japan-Thailand-Philippine (JTP) service is intended to enhance APL's coverage of Japanese ports, particularly Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimuzu and Nagoya. It gives APL customers direct access to markets in Shimuzu and Nagoya, while linking Korea to the Southeast Asia markets of Thailand and the Philippines. Port rotation for the JTP service, which was scheduled to commence on Dec. 10 with the sailing of the MOL Sparkle, is Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimuzu, Nagoya, Pusan, Laem Chabang, Manila and back to Tokyo.
