Maersk Line, MSC and ZIM enter strategic cooperation on the Asia – US East Coast trade

19 Jul 2018 11:05 Shipping News

Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and ZIM today announce a new strategic cooperation on the Asia – US East Coast trade.

Currently Maersk Line and MSC operates five loops and ZIM operates two loops on the trade. As of early September 2018, Maersk and MSC will contribute four of their operated loops to a combined operation of five loops with ZIM between Asia end the US East Coast. ZIM will operate one loop. The parties will swap slots on all five loops of the new cooperation.

For Maersk Line, the cooperation will generate cost efficiencies and provide new opportunities for customers who get access to an improved product on the Asia – USEC trade, including a new direct product from the US East Coast into Thailand.  

“We are pleased to enter into this strategic cooperation with ZIM. We will improve our combined product portfolio between Asia and the US East Coast and deliver on our promise to customers while creating the needed operational efficiencies for us to run a sustainable business on the trade also in the future,” says Søren Toft, Chief Operating Officer, Maersk Line.

The cooperation is scheduled to begin in early September 2018, subject to regulatory approval. The initial term of the cooperation is four years with an option to extend it to seven years in total. The parties expect to disclose more information about network changes and schedules on the trade soonest possible.

Maersk Line, MSC and ZIM enter strategic cooperation on the Asia – US East Coast trade

Press contact

MAERSK Line
Janina von Spalding
Phone: +45 3363 1979
E-mail: janina.vonspalding@maersk.com

Lejla Charif
Phone: +45 3363 3534
E-mail: lejla.charif@maersk.com