ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has announced it is launching a new Asia-Pacific North West service, China Express Northwest service (CEN).
CEN is the only Pacific North West service which calls at Xingang, offering the fastest eastbound leg available from Xingang, Qingdao and Shanghai, and is expected to become operational on October 25, 2016.
The new service will join the existing Asia-Pacific North West trade services, including the Pacific North Express 1 and the Pacific North West service 3.
The service will run with the following route: Xingang – Qingdao – Shanghai – Prince Rupert – Xingang
Nissim Yochai, Vice President of Trans Pacific Trade for ZIM, said: “ZIM is proud to add Prince Rupert to its portfolio of services in the Pacific North West. We continue to develop, improve and respond to customer needs on this strategic trade.”
This news comes in spite of ZIM reporting record losses in Q2, 2016, of approximately US$1.9 billion, caused by the prolonged shipping crisis as a result of oversupply.
ZIM also announced a restructuring of its debt in the beginning of October, 2016; many large shippers are operating with caution following Hanjin Shipping filing for court receivership on August 31, 2016.
