Zim Los Angeles makes first call at Seattle

The call demonstrated that ocean carriers see the Pacific Northwest as a viable gateway for mega-ships
 
The TEU 8,400 container ship M/V "Zim Los Angeles" made last week its first call at the Port of Seattle. Charlie Sheldon, Managing Director of the Port of Seattle’s Seaport Division said in a press release “We’re glad to have ZIM and the Grand Alliance in our harbor. The service they provide gives importers access to the excellent intermodal connections Seattle offers and allows Pacific Northwest exporters to reach customers throughout Asia.”
 
In a statement issued by the port it noted that the call demonstrated that ocean carriers see the Pacific Northwest as a viable gateway for mega-ships. It added that the call shows growing competitive strength of Pacific Northwest ports.
 
The vessel is deployed in the Grand Alliance’s Pacific Northwest service that links Seattle with Singapore, Laem Chabang, Thailand, Shekou, China, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
 
Carriers this year have stepped up the introductionof large 8,000-TEU-class vessels in their services to the West Coast. While most of the vessels have been calling in Los Angeles-Long Beach, the Seattle-Tacoma gateway is starting to attract the mega-ships as well.
 
The Port welcomed ZIM Los Angeles with an on-board presentation of a plaque commemorating the first stop in Seattle. The TEU 10,000 ZIM Djibouti is scheduled to call Seattle later this month.