Page 13 - Port of Baltimore - Issue 1 - 2023

NEWSMAKERS
ZIM Shipping Expands
Baltimore E-commerce Service
ZIM Shipping Lines, one of the top ocean carrier container companies in the world and a major container shipping customer at the Port of Baltimore, is doubling its service to the state, increasing its E-commerce Baltimore Express frequency from bi-weekly to weekly.
“This is great news for the Port of Baltimore,” said
Maryland Port Administration Executive Director William P. Doyle. “ZIM has excelled in utilizing our existing rail network to bring cargo into the Midwest. With our ultra-large, Neo-Panamax cranes and our incredible network of regional distribution, fulfillment and sorting centers, the future has never been brighter for the container business in Baltimore.”
The new service frequency was set to begin at the end of February. ZIM will also increase the size of its ships coming into the Port by nearly 50% — first utilizing 6,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) container vessels, and eventually 8,000 TEU container ships.
“The Port of Baltimore is one of the most productive ports in the nation and one of Maryland’s top economic generators,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “When one of
the leading container shipping companies in the world increases its business here, it’s a reflection of the maritime industry’s strong confidence in both Maryland’s Port and Maryland’s workers.”
The Port of Baltimore “has a reputation for excellent service from a dedicated workforce, and for having state-of- the-art infrastructure and logistics,” said Acting Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “ZIM and all of our maritime partners know that the Port of Baltimore is the right choice to help them respond
quickly to consumer demand, deliver goods to market, and expand economic opportunities here and abroad.”
The Baltimore Express is operated exclusively by ZIM and offers customers the fastest transit time from Asia to Baltimore. The service began last spring between China, Southeast Asia and the U.S. East Coast. ZIM operates a fleet of close to 100 vessels with significant international container market share. The firm’s global footprint includes Transpacific, Cross Atlantic, Cross Suez, Intra-Asia and Latin America trade lanes.
“Ports America Chesapeake and the Port of Baltimore are delighted with the expanded service to Seagirt Marine Terminal with increased volumes, additional e-commerce capacity and increased global service at the port,” said Vice President of Ports America Chesapeake Bayard Hogans. “With the increase from bi-weekly to weekly calls, it shows the strength of our e-commerce and mid-Atlantic market.”
The upgraded around-the-world weekly service will use the Panama and Suez canals, with a route traveling from Jakarta, Indonesia; Laem Chabang, Thailand; Cai Mep, Vietnam; Yantian, China; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; the Panama Canal; and Kingston, Jamaica before coming to Baltimore. From Maryland, the line follows to Norfolk, New York, Boston, the Suez Canal and Kaohsiung. The call at Kingston will enhance access to goods from Africa.
“Additional business from ZIM means more work hours for our longshore labor force,” said International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 333 President Scott Cowan. “This is very good news for the men and women of the ILA.” 
The Port of Baltimore is one of the
most productive ports in the nation and one of Maryland’s top economic generators. When one of the leading container shipping companies in the world increases its business here, it’s
a reflection of the maritime industry’s strong confidence in both Maryland’s Port and Maryland’s workers.”
– Gov. Wes Moore
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