ZIM unveils new transpacific loop

The Israeli ocean carrier will launch its ZNP loop in April 2017, connecting ports in Southeast Asia and China to Vancouver, Canada.    Israeli ocean carrier ZIM will launch a new service connecting ports in Southeast Asia and China to Vancouver, Canada in April 2017.
   Dubbed the ZIM North Pacific (ZNP), the loop will have a rotation of Port Kelang, Cai Mep, Da Chan Bay, Yantian, Xiamen, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Pusan, Vancouver (Canada), Pusan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Da Chan Bay and Port Kelang, ZIM said.
   A ZIM spokesperson told American Shipper the ZNP will be operated solely by ZIM with 4,250-TEU ships, and will replace the currently existing NP1 and NP3 loops.
   The NP1 is jointly operated by ZIM and the G6 Alliance and has a rotation of Singapore, Laem Chabang, Da Chan Bay, Hong Kong, Yantian, Vancouver (Canada), Tacoma, Seattle, Busan, Kaohsiung and Singapore, according to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting. The loop deploys seven vessels with an average capacity of 10,088 TEUs, with APL providing four vessels and ZIM supplying the other three.
   The NP3, which ZIM purchases slots on, is operated by the G6 Alliance, and has a rotation of Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Vancouver (Canada), Tacoma, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe and Qingdao, according to BlueWater Reporting. The loop operates with six vessels with an average capacity of 8,543 TEUs. Hapag-Lloyd provides four of the vessels, while NYK and OOCL each supply one vessel.