ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) has partnered with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) for long-term operations on the Asia-US East Coast and Asia-US Gulf trade routes.
The new services are set to begin in February 2025, subject to regulatory permissions and filings.
The planned network under this collaboration agreement is intended to provide comprehensive port coverage while improving ZIM’s quality of service and creating considerable operating efficiencies.
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Eli Glickman, ZIM President and CEO, said: “We are pleased to, once again, join forces with MSC, an industry leader and ZIM’s long-standing trusted partner, to augment our network while upholding our customer-centric approach and commitment to the highest levels of service.
“Consistent with ZIM’s focus on decarbonisation, this partnership will promote greater utilisation of larger and more eco-friendly tonnage, including our LNG-powered vessels. I am proud that ZIM is the first carrier to introduce LNG capacity to the Asia to US East Coast trade and currently offers two services fully operated by these green vessels, giving us a unique competitive position in this strategic trade.”
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The three-year agreement between ZIM and MSC includes slot swap and vessel-sharing agreements.
The cooperation scope includes six services with extensive connections between Asia and the US East Coast, the West Coast of Mexico, Caribbean ports, and US Gulf ports.
ZIM added that it will continue to operate two autonomous services to the Pacific Southwest (PSW): ZEX and ZX2, which provide substantial connections from Vietnam and China to the US West Coast.
