SAN FRANCISCO, : For the fourth time since rankings began in 2007, U.S. agricultural exporters have named APL the world's top container shipping line.

The award, presented here last week by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, was shared with two competing lines Hong Kong based OOCL and K-Line of Japan.

For Singapore-based APL, it was a return to the top rung after missing by a narrow margin in 2011. “We're grateful for this recognition because it comes from the shippers themselves our customers,” said APL Americas President Gene Seroka.

The criteria include bookings, terminal service, documentation and on-time reliability.