ZIM adds calls to intra-Med loops

The Israeli ocean carrier will add stops at Aliaga and Iskenderun in Turkey and Ashdod, Israel, to its Turkey Israel Express (TIX) service, and a call at Damietta, Egypt to its Turkey Greece Express (TGX) service.    ZIM is adding calls to two of its intra-Mediterranean services, the Turkey Israel Express (TIX) and Turkey Greece Express (TGX), the company said in a statement.
   The Israeli ocean carrier will add stops at Aliaga and Iskenderun in Turkey and Ashdod, Israel, to its TIX loop, and a call at Damietta, Egypt to the TGX, effective Nov. 28.
   The TIX, which operates with three ships with an average capacity of 2,800 TEUs, will have a full port rotation of Piraeus, Istanbul, Izmit, Gemlik, Aliaga, Piraeus, Mersin, Iskenderun, Ashdod, Haifa and Piraeus.
   The TGX, deploying two 1,600-TEU vessels, will have a full port rotation of Haifa, Antalya, Mersin, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Izmir, Damietta and Haifa.
   ZIM said the additional calls, in particular the new direct connection between Thessaloniki, Greece and Damietta, are aimed at serving increased demand for reefer trade in the region.
   “ZIM continues to respond to the market’s needs and improves its services,” Rani Ben Yehuda, VP of Cross Suez and Atlantic Trades at ZIM, said of the changes. “This new structure provides more options and enhanced service levels to our customers.”