Reviews & Ratings for the Antwerp

On June 26, 2023, a monumental event took place at the Port of New York and New Jersey when the Zim Antwerp, a 10,000-TEU vessel operated by Zim Integrated Shipping Services, became the inaugural large ship to navigate under the newly elevated Bayonne Bridge. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for the East Coast’s largest port, as it prepares to accommodate mega-ships of up to 18,000 TEU, reclaiming lost ground in the Asian import market. The Zim Antwerp's evening arrival, destined for Maher Terminals, symbolizes expanded access for larger vessels, which can now also serve two additional terminals: APM Terminals and Port Newark Container Terminal. Previously, the bridge's height of 151 feet restricted access to vessels larger than 9,800 TEU, confining them to GCT Bayonne. Though some vessels slightly exceeding 10,000 TEU have berthed at GCT Bayonne, the Zim Antwerp marks a new era, being the first ship to successfully pass beneath the raised bridge and unlock the potential for increased shipping capacity in this vital port region.

In a strategic shift, ZIM is set to introduce three of its 10,000 TEU vessels to the AEX-1 service, starting at the end of June. Currently a slot buyer alongside industry players like CMA CGM, Cosco, and Yang Ming, ZIM will bring the 10,062-TEU ships Tianjin, Zim Antwerp, and Zim Rotterdam into the mix. This move comes as ZIM opts to replace three out of the nine 8,500 TEU vessels operated by CSCL on the AEX-1 loop, as reported by Alphaliner. The transition will see these three vessels withdrawn from the CES 2/AEX-2 service, a partnership involving Evergreen, CSCL, and ZIM, which will face suspension starting mid-June. Additionally, another vessel, the Zim Djibouti, is slated to join the FE-USWC PNX service. Notably, the Tianjin and Zim Rotterdam will be handed back to ZIM in June upon the conclusion of a three-year charter with Evergreen. To maintain a direct service previously provided by CES 2/AEX-2, the AEX-1 will now include a vital call at Antwerp, with the inaugural Antwerp stop set for July 16, following the vessel's June 12 departure from Shanghai. Furthermore, Nansha will replace Hong Kong as the Pearl River region's port of call as the vessels make their return from Europe to China.

ZIM is gearing up to reinstate the 'Zim Antwerp' as part of a strategic move to reactivate two 10,000 TEU containerships that have been idle at Lu Hua Shan Anchorage for over five months. The company plans to bring both 'Zim Djibouti' and 'Zim Antwerp' back into active service in conjunction with the relaunch of its Asia Europe Express service, which is set to recommence this month.