Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), the global container shipping, terminals and logistics group, would soon establish an administration and service centre in Chongqing municipality, western China, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase efficiencies and further develop its operational excellence.

The new Chongqing centre will provide key support processes for customs compliance, bill of lading production and invoicing for APL, the Group's container shipping business. It will support APL backroom operations across greater China, Japan, Korea and the Americas.

APL is confident that the changes will be implemented efficiently and without disruption to operations.

Eng Aik Meng, President, APL said: "Efficient and cost effective documentation processes are a key aspect of meeting APL's commitment to deliver first-class services to our customers.

"At Chongqing, we aim to build upon our capabilities in these areas and enhance the way they help to differentiate the services that APL provides."

"In recent years, as Shanghai has established itself as one of the world's premier cities, the cost of doing business for such transactional activities has increased and is expected to rise further."

"Now is the right time to relocate our large scale transactional operations to a location that provides a more effective cost base for the long-term. This will help us to realize our business' growth ambitions and to ensure that we have sustainable cost structures going forward."

"Shanghai is a leading international maritime hub and the location of NOL's North Asia regional headquarters. Our presence in Shanghai will continue to grow given the significant role it plays in the NOL Group's commercial operations, both regionally and globally."

The benefits of locating in Chongqing include competitive office leasing costs, business-friendly local government and taxation policies, a highly accessible location with well-established transportation links to major commercial centres both regionally and globally and a wide, well-educated talent pool for recruitment.

The facility that has been leased also offers flexibility for expansion in line with evolving business needs.