ZIM upsizes four vessels on 2M Jacksonville service, largest container ships ever to service JAXPORT 

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has upsized four vessels utilized in its weekly container service operated through the 2M Alliance calling JAXPORT, replacing the smaller ships with two larger 11,700-TEU and two larger 11,923-TEU vessels.

The four newly-built ships are the largest ships ever to be included in a regular port rotation at JAXPORT. The recently completed 47-foot harbor deepening project provides the water draft needed for these larger vessels to call the port regularly.

“The Florida Department of Transportation is proud in our strong partnership with JAXPORT who continues to make positive impacts on the supply chain and Florida’s communities,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “We are thrilled that the recent investment in the harbor deepening project has so quickly created opportunities for larger vessels to serve the port, Florida, and the nation. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and his investments in these projects, FDOT continues our commitment to seaports and industry partners to support a robust supply chain, ensure economic prosperity, and remain a leader in transportation.”

One of the new vessels, the 11,923 TEU ZIM USA, arrived at JAXPORT this week, tying the port record for the largest container ship ever to call Jacksonville. JAXPORT presented ZIM USA’s captain with a maiden voyage plaque commemorating the ship’s inaugural visit to Jacksonville.

“The foresight of our federal, state, and local partners to invest in our port provides the capabilities needed to accommodate these vessels,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “We are grateful to ZIM and the 2M Alliance for bringing these ships to Jacksonville, supporting and growing local jobs throughout the supply chain.”

The 2M is an alliance comprised of Maersk, MSC, Hamburg Süd and ZIM. The 2M’s Jacksonville service features a total of 11 ships that connect JAXPORT to Qingdao, Shanghai, and Ningbo in China; Busan, South Korea; and Kingston, Jamaica.

The 2M calls the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal at Blount Island weekly, carrying consumer goods such as electronics, toys, furniture and other retail goods, as well as parts and supplies for U.S. manufacturers and companies.

Located in the heart of the Southeast U.S., JAXPORT is Florida’s No. 1 container port by volume and one of the nation’s top vehicle-handling ports. Jacksonville offers a 47-foot deepwater shipping channel, two-way ship traffic with no berth or terminal congestion, and same-day access to 98 million U.S. consumers.