Zim Integrated Shipping Services said it has received the first in the series of a dozen mega-vessels that it has on order, the 8,400-TEU Zim Los Angeles.
It said the delivery of that ship will be followed in two weeks with the delivery of an even larger vessel, the 10,000-TEU Zim Djibouti.
Both vessels will serve in partnership with the Grand Alliance on the Pacific Northwest Service (PNX) loop from East Asia to the U.S. West Coast and Canada.
“The world economy is changing, in particular the shipping market, and when the economic crisis is over we must be ready with the appropriate fleet to meet the world demand," said Idan Ofer, chairman of Zim.
“The new mega vessels are a major step forward for the company’s fleet. They are significantly larger than the other ships we own and, as they can carry more containers, they are considerably more efficient. The delivery of the new vessels will lay the foundation to positioning Zim as a leading company in the years to come," said Rafi Danieli, Zim's chief executive officer.
“We have a strong partnership with the Grand Alliance. The introduction of the two new vessels will be the eighth cooperation agreement we have with the alliance," he added. "This partnership with the Grand Alliance forms part of our new expansion plan and is an important strategic milestone in Zim’s stabilization and recovery plan."
The ships are built by Hyundai SAMHO Shipyards in South Korea, and Zim said it will enable the company to continue to offer weekly services on the route, while expanding the coverage by calling at additional ports through Asia and North America.
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