ZIM explores options for new ships

The Israeli ocean carrier has not made any definitive decisions, however, as it is still considering the potential impacts of the Panama Canal expansion.    ZIM is “exploring its options,” but has not made a definitive decision about buying new ships, according to an article that appeared Sunday on the Israeli logistics website PORT2PORT.
   PORT2PORT reported Rafi Daneli, ZIM’s chief executive officer, “noted that the company is in talks with yards, owners and banks, with the intention of ordering between seven and 10 ships of over TEU 13,000, to be deployed in the transpacific – whence 40 percent of ZIM revenue comes – are also needed to exploit the expanded Panama Canal that opens next year.”
   Asked about the article, a spokesman for ZIM told American Shipper, “As part of ZIM’s preparation for the Panama Canal expansion and the upgrade of our services on this trade, we are currently exploring our options, but no definitive decision has been made on new orders.
   “ZIM has just announced the opening of a new South Asia – US East Coast service, ZIM Seven Star Express (Z7S) via the Suez Canal – all part of improving our Asia-US services and solutions,” the spokesman added.