Accord Express Goes Live on GTN Portal.

Business Editors

SINGAPORE & ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2004

One of Singapore's "Top 50 Enterprises" Integrates with Advanced

Technology Platform to Streamline Ocean Freight Business

Processes, Improve Service

Accord Express, a global integrated logistics service provider, announced today it has commenced operations with GTN portal, the industry-backed, multi-carrier transaction platform for ocean freight management powered by technology from GT Nexus.

"Seizing opportunities to adopt advanced technologies is a key pillar of Accord's business philosophy," said Mr. Eugene Rim, chief executive officer and managing director of Accord Express. "With the link-up to GT Nexus, Accord is able to integrate with carriers and provide a 'one-stop' platform for our customers, allowing full visibility across their supply chains."

Under this strategic e-commerce initiative, Accord accomplishes two objectives:

1) Leveraging GTN portal as an "integration hub" through which Accord gains a single point of connectivity with multiple shipping lines, thereby streamlining operations, improving data quality and delivering faster and more accurate transaction management

2) Linking to a common electronic processing system for ocean freight that standardizes and automates a host of business transactions with the shipping lines, such as booking cargo, receiving booking confirmations (reservations), creating, submitting and approving shipping documents, and receiving shipment in-transit information.

The technology initiative is in line with Accord's vision to become a leading global integrated logistics provider, Mr. Rim added. Importantly, the initiative establishes a dual electronic channel for Accord. Its internal operating system sends "outbound" transactions (bookings and bills of lading) into GTN, which then automatically routes them to the appropriate shipping line. In turn, as the shipping line returns booking confirmations and shipment in-transit messages, these "inbound" transactions are processed over GTN, translated and delivered directly into Accord's system -- where the information is immediately available to operations and customer service personnel. Sophisticated integration software and data quality tools manage the transactions.

By integrating with GTN as its single "pipeline" for data communications with multiple shipping lines, and using the portal's standardized software and infrastructure to process ocean freight transactions, Accord gains the following benefits:

-- Faster transaction processing and accelerated response times

to customers

-- More timely and actionable shipping and logistics information,

through the portal's ability to provide a complete and

consolidated view of customer shipment events -- from cargo

booking to delivery -- across all network carriers.

-- Increased transaction accuracy through automated data

management that eliminates manual re-keying of information,

and associated duplications and errors

-- More efficient workflow that improves staff and office

productivity and reduces communications and IT operating

costs.

-- A stronger position in Asia/Pacific's highly competitive

regional ocean transportation market through enhanced

operations and services.

Accord has rolled out GTN services across its full regional and global network for transportation logistics and freight forwarding, which encompasses 38 offices in 15 countries covering the Asia-Pacific basin and Europe.

About Accord Express

Accord Express is a global integrated logistics service provider, with a mission to provide a complete range of integrated logistics solutions that will help their business grow in tandem with its multinational clients. Founded in 1984, Accord today employs more than 1,000 staff worldwide and operates through an extensive network of over 38 own offices in the ASEAN, China, India-Subcontinent, and the European countries. In reaching out to the rest of the world, Accord has worldwide networks and partners in North America and other subcontinents.

In 1995, the Economic Development Board (EDB) identified Accord as a Promising Local Enterprise (PLE) and in 2004 awarded them the International Headquarters Award. Accord was also ranked among Singapore's top 50 Enterprises in 2001 and 2002 and was conferred the prestigious Enterprise Award at the Singapore Business Awards ceremony in 2003. The ISO 9001:2000 accredited by PSB in 2003 marks the quality commitment it makes to customers. Accord was most recently awarded the eSCM certification by the Singapore eSCM Council and the Intelligent20 award for its innovative use of IT. For more information, visit www.accordlogistics.com

About GTN

GTN is a leading transportation portal providing shippers worldwide with a common transaction platform for conducting business with ocean shipping lines. Backed by a consortium of global carriers based in Europe, Asia and the Americas, GTN provides integrated access to over 45% of the global market for containerized shipping. GTN member carriers, who operate over 20 major global brands, include APL, CP Ships, Crowley Liner Services, CSAV, Hanjin, Hyundai, "K" Line, MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines), NYK Line, Senator Lines, Wan Hai, Yang Ming and the Zim Israel Navigation Company. GTN is powered by technology from GT Nexus, a leading provider of software and services for multi-modal transportation and logistics management, global supply chain visibility, and performance management. For more about, visit www.gtnexus.com.