ZCA’s extensive coverage will now offer improved service to Israeli customers in the central and southern part of the country, for both export and import.

ZIM is offering exceptional transit times from the US East Coast to Ashdod & Haifa. The transit time from New York to Ashdod is 22 days, the fastest in the market. ZCA offers superior transit times from Savannah, Halifax and Kingston as well.

The new call aims to strengthen and enhance the first-class services already offered by ZIM to the Israeli market, from and to both Haifa and Ashdod. 

The new ZCA route will be as follows: Haifa- Piraeus – Genova –  Tarragona – Halifax – New York – Savannah – Kingston –  – Tarragona – Ashdod – Haifa

Rafi Danieli, ZIM’s President and CEO: ZIM pioneered the direct container service between Israel and Mediterranean ports and the US East Coast decades ago, and continued to provide premium service to customers throughout the years. The new call is another step in ZIM’s ongoing efforts to improve customer service and maintain ZIM’s leading position in this trade.

The first vessel to call Ashdod will be Is Zim Luanda voyage 25, arriving November 19th.

The Foshan Municipal Government contacted the Port of San Diego to arrange the tour and briefing on the comprehensive master-planning process used for the Chula Vista bayfront. The bayfront plan recently won an award from the North American Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum for the plan’s projected impact on job creation and business growth.

Foshan Vice Mayor Weihua Wu led the 20-member delegation of high-level officials on the educational visit focusing on best practices for planning large-scale developments. The delegation included the leaders of various divisions and districts within the Foshan Municipal Government representing finance, housing, urban-rural construction/planning, and water resources. Accompanied by an interpreter, the delegation visited the Port of San Diego administrative office for a formal welcome and viewed presentations from staff members. The group then boarded a bus for a tour of the Chula Vista site. Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox joined Port staff in welcoming the group as they disembarked at Bayside Park in Chula Vista.

Located on south San Diego Bay in the City of Chula Vista, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan encompasses 556 acres. It is the largest available coastal development opportunity on the West Coast. After a decade-long, joint planning process between the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the development plan on August 9, 2012.

The accepted land use designations allow the Port and Chula Vista to progress into the development phase with the goal to transform the currently underused industrial waterfront property into a world-class resort and conference destination, complemented by a mix of residential, retail, and more than 240 acres of parks and nature preserve.

“CSAV has a long history in Virginia – nearing 50 years — and this contract will continue what has been a very good relationship,” said Rodney Oliver, interim executive director of the VPA. “CSAV’s business is growing and the company’s leadership made it clear that they will take advantage of the expanding rail network that links this port with critical Midwest manufacturing and population centers.”

The contract guarantees that CSAV will move a minimum of 45,000 TEUs (9,000 annually) through the port, though the number most likely would be higher, said Joseph A. Dorto, general manager and CEO of Virginia International Terminals Inc., the VPA’s terminal operating company. Further, the contract guarantees that Virginia would get business – containers – from any new CSAV service that would call the US East Coast, from South Carolina to New York.

CSAV’s vessels make weekly calls at Norfolk International Terminals and the ocean carrier moves some cargo into Virginia using other carriers. The contract went into effect Oct. 1 and it expires Sept, 30, 2017. Included in this most recent contract is an option to extend the contract for five additional years.

“This extension is a vote of confidence in how we are conducting business at The Port of Virginia,” Oliver said.

The vessel sailed from Teesport on Sunday 7 October destined for Thailand.  The latest shipment represents a significant uplift in the handling of slab through Teesport since the plant was mothballed in 2010, and one which has been achieved through the major investment of SSI. David Robinson, PD Ports’ CEO, commented: “This is a significant milestone reached and one which we are delighted to see achieved.  Exporting such a large amount of slab in just five months since production restarted would not have been possible without the strong partnership between PD Ports and SSI UK, and together we aim to deliver an outstanding and first class performance. 

“However it remains critically important that all supply chain members and stakeholders, including Government, work together to create a long term and stable platform for SSI UK.”

Phil Dryden, Chief Executive of SSI UK, said: “2012 has been a challenging year for all of the stakeholders associated with the restart of iron and steel making on Teesside, and we are grateful for the wonderful support we have received. I am very pleased that the plant operational performance has met our expectations and that the export route through Teesport has been such a tremendous success.  This reflects the very effective working relationship and close cooperation which exists between PD Ports and SSI UK.”

The rebirth of steel making on Teesside was celebrated back in April when the region saw the first slabs produced by SSI UK and then a month later exported from Teesport to Thailand. This investment signaled a tremendous boost to the industrial and manufacturing capability of the region, and highlighted Teesside’s potential to be seen as a place to invest, develop and produce for global markets.