ZIM, LLOYD TRIESTINO TO ADD ASIA/PANAMA/U.S. EAST COAST SERVICE

ZIM, LLOYD TRIESTINO TO ADD ASIA/PANAMA/U.S. EAST COAST SERVICE    Zim Israel Navigation Co. and Lloyd Triestino will launch an additional Asia/U.S. East Coast container service via the Panama canal before the transpacific peak season starts.
   The Asian service will serve mainly ports in mainland China.
   The carriers are expected to announce the details of their joint operation on March 3.
   Zim already provides an all-water Asia/U.S. East Coast weekly container service, called “ZCS,” whereas Lloyd Triestino takes space on the Asia/U.S. East Coast “AUE” and “NUE” services of Evergreen.
   Other carriers are reportedly also considering putting more capacity on the Asia/U.S. East Coast route, as strong cargo volumes to the East Coast during this year’s peak season seem likely.
   At the beginning of the year, the global alliance of COSCO, “K” Line, Yangming Marine Transport and Hanjin Shipping also added an Asia/U.S. East Coast all-water service, called “AWE 3,” with ships of about 3,800-TEU nominal capacity.