Zim, MSC begin joint Gulf/ECSA loop

   As previously announced, the liner shipping companies Zim and Mediterranean Shipping Co. have now merged their two services between the U.S. Gulf and ECSA.
   The new joint service, combining Zim’s SAX loop with MSC’s String 2 service, began with the March 27 sailing of MSC Korea from Houston and will operate with seven vessels averaging 2,987 TEUs. MSC provides five of the ships and Zim provides two.
   The new loop’s rotation is Houston, New Orleans, Kingston, Caucedo, Suape, Salvador, Vitoria, Paranagua, Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Pecem, Cristobal, Kingston and Houston.
   MSC’s previous String 2 service operated with seven vessels averaging 2,044 TEUs. Its rotation was Veracruz, Altamira, Houston, New Orleans, Caucedo, Puerto Cabello, Vitoria, Navegantes, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Pecem and Veracruz.
   Zim’s SAX service operated with seven vessel averaging 2,110 TEUs and a rotation of Kingston, Vitoria, Rio Grande, Itajai, Santos, Pecem, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Kingston, Tampa, Mobile, Houston and Kingston. 
   Starting May 11 Zim has scheduled a resumption of its Kingston feeder from Mobile and Tampa. Called the Caribbean Gulf Express (CGX), this will operate weekly with two ships, each of 1,740 TEUs. The rotation will be Kigston, Mobile, Tampa and Kingston. — ComPair Data, Kathleen Tyson