APL GETS JUMP ON SERVICE-CONTRACT FILINGS

   Getting a jump on deregulation, APL said Wednesday that it has already
negotiated and processed hundreds of service contracts for shippers in the
U.S. trade lanes with Asia, Europe, the Mideast and Latin America.
   The new Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 takes effect May 1. But the
Federal Maritime Commission decided to allow ocean carriers to start filing
confidential service contracts with the commission on April 26, five days
early.
   The commission said the early start was to allow filers extra time to
get registered and to avoid a logjam of filing.
   APL claims no such backlog, noting that the line has overhauled its
internal processes and has introduced Internet functions that support the
company’s pricing and contracting activities.