Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) container unit APL posted a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in volume, in the four weeks ending April 8, but also a two per cent decline in revenue per box.

Volume during the period totalled 229,700 FEU while revenue was US$2,557 per FEU. NOL attributed the revenue decline to falling Asia-Europe rates and a changing cargo mix associated with higher intra-Asia volumes.

But the company also credited higher intra-Asia and Asia-Europe volumes for driving the increased throughput, according to the Shipping Gazette.