APL Containers Make An Artistic Impression

Marine boxes help create a unique art installation in the heart of Singapore

Singapore, 11 September, 2008 - APL, the container shipping business of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), has today helped create an innovative connection between the humble cargo container and the world of art.

The Containart Pavilion is a temporary building constructed from 150 of APL's 20-foot containers and 34 10-metre recyclable paper tubes.

It is the brainchild of renowned Japanese architectural artist, Shigeru Ban. By employing marine containers and giant paper columns to form its walls, he has created a recyclable structure, which will house some major artworks as part of the second Singapore Biennale.

The Biennale is the city-state's premier contemporary visual arts festival and was first held in Singapore in 2006. The event is organised by the National Arts Council and features the works of more than 50 artists and art collectives from around 36 countries located at sites all over Singapore.

The Containart Pavilion, which is located at Marina Bay near Singapore's central business district, will house an exhibition of contemporary art from 11 September until 16 November. Once the project ends, the containers will return to service in the world’s shipping lanes.

NOL Group President & CEO, Ron Widdows, said: "Shigeru Ban's work is truly unique. He has made an inspiring connection between container shipping and contemporary art. We are honoured to support his work again."

The NOL Group previously supported a Shigeru Ban architectural installation in 2006, when APL containers formed a vital part of a museum constructed on the New York City waterfront.

"NOL's involvement in these projects is part of our commitment to contributing positively to communities around the world," concluded Mr Widdows.

For more information on the Containart Pavilion and Singapore Biennale 2008, go to http://www.singaporebiennale.org/

For more images of the Containart Pavilion click here.

Media Enquiries:
Mr Paul Barrett
Telephone: (65) 6371 7959
paul_barrett@nol.com.sg

About NOL
Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) is a Singapore-based global container shipping, terminals and logistics company. Its container shipping arm, APL, provides world-class container shipping services and intermodal operations supported by leading-edge IT and e-commerce. Its terminals unit has one of the world's leading container terminal networks, with key gateway facilities in Asia and North America. Its logistics business, APL Logistics, provides international, end-to-end logistics services and solutions, employing the latest IT and data connectivity for maximum supply chain visibility and control. NOL Web site: www.nol.com.sg