MSC, Maersk Line and Zim to Share Vessels on Asia-US East Coast Cargo Trade Routes

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., along with 2M alliance partner Maersk Line, today announce a new strategic cooperation with ZIM to improve services for shippers moving cargo between Asia and the U.S. East Coast (USEC).

At present, MSC and Maersk Line operate five loops on the Asia-USEC trade, while ZIM operates two loops on the trade. As of early September 2018, Maersk Line and MSC will contribute four of their operated loops to a combined operation of five loops with ZIM between Asia and USEC. ZIM will operate one loop.

The parties will swap slots of all five loops of the new cooperation, a process which helps each individual carrier to manage capacity and customer demand and adds new flexibility to cater for shippers’ requirements.

The new arrangements will improve MSC’s products across these regions and unveil new opportunities for shippers. Southeast Asian exporters will benefit from a new direct service between Laem Chabang port, Thailand, and USEC ports as far as New York. The revised network will include calls at Colombo to facilitate shipping opportunities for cargo from nearby India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“MSC is pleased to welcome ZIM into this strategic cooperation. The new arrangements will help ensure a high level of service for shippers on all routes between Asia and the U.S. East Coast,” said Diego Aponte, President & CEO, MSC Group.

The new arrangements are expected to generate economies of scale and efficiencies, helping carriers to navigate tough prevailing business conditions. Better management of capacity and demand also cuts fuel consumption and supports MSC’s efforts to ensure cargo shipping remains a sustainable business with minimal impact on the environment.

The cooperation is planned to continue for the current term of 2M.

MSC will provide more information about network changes and schedules on the trade in due course.