ZIM AND CHINA SHIPPING TIGHTEN COOPERATION

ZIM AND CHINA SHIPPING TIGHTEN COOPERATION    China Shipping Container Line and Zim Israel Navigation Co. have reached an agreement to extend their cooperation, based on slot exchanges, from the transpacific trade to other trades lanes.
   The expanded cooperation is designed to “meet the needs of both companies' clients in the global trades,” Zim said.
   Zim said that it will have slots on China Shipping’s transpacific services, including its new Southeast Asia/India/U.S. service, and will also take slots on the Chinese carrier’s Far East/northern Europe services. The move will allow Zim to enter the Far East/northern Europe trade.
   In return, China Shipping will have slots on Zim's transpacific vessels and on its U.S./Mediterranean and Far East/Mediterranean services.
   China Shipping and Zim have exchanged slots between their respective Asia/West Coast of North America services for about two years.
   The expanded cooperation is expected to commence during the second half of March, pending approval by the Federal Maritime Commission, Zim said.