After two consecutive quarters of huge losses, ZIM, the world's tenth largest shipping company, is withdrawing ships from the Asia-Australasia (including Australia, New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific Islands) route and signing a ship-sharing agreement (VSA) with MSC.
Alphaliner said: "The Israeli shipping company will suspend three Oceania-related services, including the Asia-Australia CAX route, the South China/Southeast Asia-Australia TFX route and the trans-Tasman N2A route."
as an alternative to the CAX route, starting in October, subject to regulatory approval, Zim will join MSC's Panda loop, named ZAX by Zim. Seven Teu -5000 vessels will be deployed on the route and Zim will deploy three.
Zim said it would maintain its link with New Zealand by replacing the previous TFX and N2A routes with the new ZAO and ZOX routes. Although there is no official confirmation, Alphaliner said that this service can be provided through MSC's Kiwi Express and Capricorn Loop's charter agreement.
It is reported that Zim is restructuring its network and in June this year terminated the Asia-US West Coast route.
The company believes that the new Asia-Australasia VSA with MSC will strengthen its position in the region.
Zim Asia executive vice president Danny Hoffman said it was an "exciting new phase".
He explained: "Our current Oceania service network will be reorganized in cooperation with MSC to improve reliability and strengthen our customer service."
Meanwhile, MSC said that with Zim's cooperation VSA will "strengthen" its Panda service, in addition to Capricorn and Kiwi Express routes, will also "continue to provide Asia, Australia and New Zealand between the quality of direct service".
Assuming Zim has decided with MSC to arrange vessels for its new ZAO and ZOX services, the company will need to find new "jobs" for the 10 2500 - 2800 Teu charters currently operating on the soon-to-be-discontinued cycle.
this summer, Zim has been active in the container ship subcharter market and has successfully reached an agreement to reduce the number of charter ships. Alphaliner reported last month that it was aware of five transactions involving Chinese-chartered vessels being sublet, adding that "there could be more to come".
Source: one shipping