ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) has announced a restructuring of its cross-Atlantic services, which link the Mediterranean with North and South America.

The updated structure, set to take effect as of February 2025, will enhance service offerings by establishing two weekly service strings: one focused on direct routes from Mediterranean ports to Canada and the US East Coast and the other covering Latin America and the Caribbean via Kingston, Jamaica. The latter will then connect with ZIM's feeder network.

"The service restructuring aims to maintain ZIM's Cross-Atlantic wide geographical direct coverage, incorporating additional key export ports in Turkey and Italy while expanding the scope to the West Coast of South America and the Caribbean," ZIM said in the announcement.

It added that this new service structure will ensure both reliable and efficient service to meet growing customer demand and reflect ZIM's ongoing commitment to optimizing its network.

The two restructured services will operate under the following routes: ZCA will follow Mersin – Ashdod – Haifa – Piraeus – Livorno (ZCA/ZCT WB connection) – Genoa – Barcelona – Valencia – Halifax – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Kingston (Hub) – Valencia – Barcelona – Mersin route.

ZCT will follow Kumport – Izmit – Aliaga – Salerno – Livorno (ZCA/ZCT WB connection) – Tangier – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Port Everglades route.

ZIM said the new structure is subject to the execution of a new operational cooperation agreement with Hapag-Lloyd and the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals. 

"This service restructure reflects our continuous effort to adapt our services to the evolving needs of our customers while maintaining our strong position in the market," said Assaf Tiran, EVP of Cross Suez and Atlantic BU.

"We believe this updated service configuration will offer our customers more precise and reliable shipping solutions across these important trade routes," he added.