Israeli container carrier Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) has added the Port of Wilmington to its Z7S service, North Carolina Ports said.
The weekly service is scheduled to start calling the port in June and connects South China, South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent to the US East Coast main ports.
The Z7S service is the first container service to call the Port of Wilmington using the Suez Canal, according to North Carolina Ports. Its rotation includes access to Da Chan Bay, Yantian, Cai Mep, Port Kelang and Colombo.
The shipping firm plans to deploy eleven 5,000 TEU vessels in the service.
ZIM is another returning ocean carrier to the Port of Wilmington after a slot chartering agreement with the CKYHE Alliance in early 2016.
To prepare for growth, North Carolina Ports ordered in January this year two New Panamax ship-to-shore cranes with an option to purchase two more from China’s Shanghai Zhenjua Heavy Industry (ZPMC) for the Port of Wilmington.
North Carolina Ports plans to invest over USD 120 million in its infrastructure over the next few years. The projects include the turning basin expansion, berth improvements, the expansion of the container yard and the addition of new cranes.
Source: http://worldmaritimenews.com