ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd has announced the launch of a new premium line from the South America West Coast to the US East Coast, commencing in the coming weeks from Chile.

The Israeli shipping line said the new independent service called "ZIM Cilibri Xpress (ZCX)" will offer an expedited connection with an emphasis on refrigerated cargo.

 Source: ZIM Integrated Shipping

ZIM Cilibri Xpress will operate the San Antonio (Chile), Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador) – Cartagena (Colombia) – Kingston (Jamaica) – Philadelphia - Miami, Kingston (Jamaica)- Buenaventura (Colombia – Guayaquil (Ecuador) – Callao (Peru) - San Antonio (Chile) port rotation.

"ZCX will offer a superior-competitive service for refrigerated cargo from Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, with the fastest transit time to Philadelphia - as a first port of call in the US East coast - and competitive transit time to additional US ports" ZIM said in its announcement.

Increased reefer capacity

It added that ZCX, operated independently by ZIM, will deploy 6 X 1700 TEU vessels on a weekly service with increased capacity for reefers —  and will offer an excellent connection between the ports of the West Coast of South America and the US East Coast with very short transit time between major ports in the region.

ZIM said the ZCX service would also enable fast transshipments from US East Coast ports as well as a direct service from Miami in Southern Florida to all Latin America trades. 

ZCX will also enable fast transshipments connecting ports in West Coast South America too and from East Coast South America and offer transhipment connection from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to Philadelphia's port.

In addition, ZCX will enable Outstanding Intra WCSA connectivity, offering transit times as short as two days between the main countries in this trade.

"This unique line, named after the famous beautiful South American Colibri bird, is specifically designed for agility, efficiency, and reliability. We intend to bring our agile and creative Z Factor to new destinations for the benefit of our customers," said Nissim Yochai, EVP, ZIM US president & head of the Latin America Business Unit.