ZIM Launches New Colibri Xpress (ZCX) Service for South America and US East Coast

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) has announced the launch of ZIM Colibri Xpress (ZCX) – a new premium line from South America West Coast to the US East Coast, commencing in the coming weeks from Chile. Nissim Yochai, EVP, ZIM US President & Head of Latin America Business Unit, stated: “This unique line, named after the famous beautiful South American Colibri bird, is specifically designed for agility, efficiency, and reliability.”

Service Operations and Fleet Capacity

ZIM Colibri Xpress (ZCX), operated independently by ZIM, will deploy 6 X 1700 TEU vessels on a weekly service with increased capacity for reefers. It will offer an excellent connection between the ports of the West Coast of South America and the US East Coast, with short transit times between major ports in the region. We intend to bring our agile and creative Z Factor to new destinations for the benefit of our customers.

Strategic Service Rotation

The ZCX service will operate on the following rotation:

• San Antonio (Chile)
• Callao (Peru)
• Guayaquil (Ecuador)
• Cartagena (Colombia)
• Kingston (Jamaica)
• Savannah
• Philadelphia
• Miami
• Kingston
• Balboa (Panama)
• Buenaventura (Colombia)
• Guayaquil (Ecuador)
• Callao (Peru)

ZCX will also enable fast transshipments from US East Coast ports as well as a direct service from Miami in Southern Florida to all Latin American trades. In addition, it will offer a transhipment connection from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to Philadelphia’s port. Furthermore, ZCX will enable Outstanding Intra WCSA connectivity, offering transit times as short as two days between the main countries in this trade.

Specialized Handling for Refrigerated Cargo

ZCX will offer a superior competitive service for refrigerated cargo from Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, with the fastest transit time to Philadelphia – as a first port of call in the US East coast – and competitive transit time to additional US ports. Direct service on the ZIM Colibri Xpress will take advantage of Savannah’s refrigerated cargo infrastructure and partner network that can support a suite of services, such as agriculture inspections, cold treatment/retreatment services, fumigation and repacking.

Fresh produce from the West Coast of South America is a major growth target for Georgia Ports, with citrus, avocados, grapes and blueberries gaining traction through our gateway. The following data highlights the infrastructure supporting this growth at the Port of Savannah:

• Refrigerated Container Capacity: More than 3,000 containers simultaneously.
• Total Private Cold Storage: Approximately 2 million square feet.
• Frozen Cargo Dedicated Space: 1.4 million square feet.
• Chilled Cargo Dedicated Space: 600,000 square feet.

Regional Market Connectivity

Savannah is increasingly seen as a more attractive option than traditional points of entry because of its proximity to important markets. The Port of Savannah’s central location within the U.S. Southeast offers a strategic gateway to serve the Eastern U.S. and Midwest, with the deepwater terminal 100 miles closer to Atlanta than any other port. ZIM officials touted competitive transit times between WCSA and the U.S., best-in-class transit times from Savannah to all Latin American trades, and connectivity between ports on the West Coast of South America.