MSC and Zim have agreed to collaborate on some Transpacific trade lanes as ocean networks shift in 2025, according to an emailed press release from Zim. The partnership is set to last three years.
The new services, which are set to launch in February, include connections between Asia and the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, as well as the West Coast of Mexico and Caribbean ports. The deal includes slot swap and vessel sharing agreements.
The agreement comes as ocean carriers shift their alliance structures, thereby changing the shipping routes available to shippers.
MSC’s current 2M alliance with Maersk is set to expire in January 2025.
In early 2023, both carriers announced they were not renewing their operational agreement. Soon after, Maersk formed the Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, which will become effective in February 2025.
Meanwhile, ONE, Yang Ming and HMM formed the Premier Alliance, which is also set to launch in February. MSC will collaborate with the Premier Alliance through slot exchanges on Asia-to-Europe trade lanes, according to a press release.
“For shippers it appears that the alliance shake-up is indeed leading to more variety in the terms of network setups offered in the market,” Lars Jensen, CEO and Partner at Vespucci Maritime, said in a LinkedIn post on Monday.
The agreement between Zim and MSC is also set to focus on decarbonization by promoting the use of larger eco-friendly tonnage which includes Zim’s LNG-powered vessels, Zim President and CEO Eli Glickman said in the release.
Glickman said Zim is the first carrier to introduce LNG capacity to the Asia-to-U.S. East Coast trade lane and currently offers two services fully operated by these green vessels.