Zim adds new Mediterranean-US East Coast direct services

MSC partnering in updated Cross-Atlantic strings

(Screencap from Zim Integrated Shipping Services video)

Zim Integrated Shipping Services announced a restructuring of its Cross-Atlantic services linking the Mediterranean region with North and South America.

The updated structure, to take effect in February 2025, will enhance service offerings by establishing two weekly service strings, one focused on direct routes from Mediterranean ports to Canada and the U.S. East Coast, and the other covering Latin America and the Caribbean via Kingston, Jamaica, connecting with Zim’s extensive feeder network.

In a release, Haifa, Israel-based Zim (NYSE: ZIM) said the service restructuring aims to maintain the carrier’s wide cross-Atlantic geographical direct coverage, incorporating additional key export ports in Turkey and Italy while expanding scope to the west coast of South America and the Caribbean. “This new service structure will ensure both reliable and efficient service to meet growing customer demand and reflect Zim’s ongoing commitment to optimizing its network,” the company said.

The two restructured services will operate under the following routes:

ZCA
Mersin (Turkey) – Ashdod (Israel) – Haifa – Piraeus (Greece) – Livorno (Italy) (ZCA/ZCT westbound connection) – Genoa (Italy) – Barcelona (Spain) – Valencia (Spain) – Halifax (Canada) – New York – Norfolk (Virginia) – Savannah (Georgia) – Kingston (hub) – Valencia – Barcelona – Mersin

ZCT 

Kumport (Turkey) – Izmit (Turkey) – Aliaga (Turkey) – Salerno (Italy) – Livorno (ZCA/ZCT westbound connection) – Tangier (Morocco) – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Port Everglades (Florida)

The new structure is subject to the execution of a new operational cooperation agreement with Hapag-Lloyd and applicable regulatory approvals.

“This service restructure reflects our continuous effort to adapt our services to the evolving needs of our customers, while maintaining our strong position in the market,” Assaf Tiran, executive vice president, Cross Suez and Atlantic Business Unit, said in the release. “We believe this updated service configuration will offer our customers more precise and reliable shipping solutions across these important trade routes.”

The restructuring follows an announcement by Zim in September that it had entered into a new long-term operational cooperation with longtime operations partner Mediterranean Shipping Co. on the Asia-U.S. East Coast and Asia-U.S. Gulf trades. The new services also are scheduled to be launched in February 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Report says Russia aided Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping

Hapag-Lloyd revises earnings forecast on Red Sea disruptions 

FEMA awards $2.6M security grant to Port of Long Beach

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.