Xiamen Port has commenced a new weekly direct container service, named ZFS, establishing a direct link between Fujian province and the East Coast of South America. The inaugural call was made by the ZIM Wilmington at the Xiamen International Container Terminal on September 24. This service is a joint operation between ZIM Integrated Shipping and Hapag-Lloyd, deploying a fleet of 11 vessels with capacities between 7,000 and 9,000 TEU.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this new direct service offers a significant advantage by providing a dedicated and regular connection to a key South American trade lane. The weekly frequency ensures consistent capacity and improved schedule reliability, potentially reducing transit times and the need for transshipment. This could lead to more predictable supply chains and potentially lower logistics costs for cargo moving between Fujian and the East Coast of South America. The introduction of a direct route also simplifies booking and operational planning for forwarders.