ISRAEL's ZIM and MSC have signed a new agreement for six Asia to US East Coast and US Gulf Coast services, scheduled to commence in February 2025.

The three-year agreement between the two ocean carriers includes slot swap and vessel sharing agreements, including six services connecting Asia with the US East Coast, West Coast of Mexico, Caribbean ports and US Gulf ports, reports Greece's Container News.

The proposed rotations of the ZIM/MSC services: ZIM Seven Stars (Z7S): Singapore, Laem Chabang, Yantian, Cai Mep, Singapore, Suez Canal, New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Suez Canal and returning to Singapore.

ZIM Xpress Baltimore (ZXB): Singapore, Cai Mep, Haiphong, Yantian, Panama Canal, Cartagena, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Suez Canal and returning to Singapore.

ZIM North Star (ZNS): Pusan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Pusan, Panama Canal, New York, Norfolk, Baltimore, Panama Canal and returning to Pusan.

ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP): Nansha, Yantian, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Pusan, Manzanillo, MX, Panama Canal, Kingston, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, Kingston, Panama Canal, and returning to Nansha.

ZIM Gulf Central China Xpress (ZGC): Ningbo, Shanghai, Pusan, Panama Canal, Mobile, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Freeport, Panama Canal, Rodman and returning to Ningbo.

ZIM South Lotus (ZSL): Cai Mep, Xiamen, Yantian, Pusan, Lazaro Cardenas, Panama Canal, Houston, Mobile, Tampa, Miami, Suez Canal and returning to Cai Mep.

Eli Glickman, ZIM president & CEO, said the collaboration with MSC is "the direct outcome of our fleet renewal programme which has greatly enhanced ZIM's competitive position, particularly on the Asia to US East Coast trade."

He added: "Consistent with ZIM's focus on decarbonization, this partnership will promote greater utilization 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."

ZIM will continue operating two independent services to the Pacific Southwest (PSW) -ZEX and ZX2- offering connection from Vietnam and China to the US West Coast: ZIM E-Commerce Xpress (ZEX): Cai Map, Yantian, Los Angeles and returning to Cai Mep.

ZIM Central China Xpress (ZX2): Shanghai, Ningbo, Los Angeles and returning to Shanghai.

Additionally, the Israeli box line will continue its existing agreement with MSC to the Pacific Northwest (PNW), under ZNP service: ZIM North Pacific (ZNP): Yantian, Shanghai, Qingdao, Pusan, Vancouver and returning to Yantian.

https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9240900000509