ZIM ORDERS SIX 4,800-TEU SHIPS

ZIM ORDERS SIX 4,800-TEU SHIPS    Zim Israel Navigation Co. has ordered six 4,800-TEU Panamax-sized containerships from the Korean shipyard Hyundai for about $300 million.
   Zim said that the six 24-knot ships will replace seven 21-knots vessels deployed today in the carrier’s Asia/North America/Mediterranean/North America/Asia “ZCS” service.”
   The ZCS weekly service currently employs 15 containerships with an average capacity of about 3,200-TEU.
   When the new 4,800-TEU vessels are delivered, seven 3,029-TEU ships will be transferred to the carrier’s “Asia Med Service.” At that time, Zim will also merge the Far East/East Mediterranean “Asia Med Service,” which currently uses 10 ships of about 2,700-TEU, with its “Zim Pacific Service” Asia/U.S./Canadian West Coast operation, which employs six vessels of 1,800-TEU.
   The changes are scheduled to take place during 2002, Zim said.
   The carrier said that it intends to make changes in its commercial policy in 2002, including an expansion of its transport of reefer containers.