ZIM Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) introduce enhanced Southeast Asia service at JAXPORT

3 MIN READ

New Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service links Vietnam, Singapore, China and Colombia with the U.S. East Coast

In February 2025, vessels from ZIM Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will connect the United States with Southeast Asia ports as part of their new eCommerce Xpress/Emerald service. The offering, a collaboration between ZIM Line and MSC through a vessel sharing agreement, is a direct and rapid shipping route between Vietnam and the U.S. East Coast, with Jacksonville, Fla. as a Southeast U.S. port of call. The service will call the SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal (JCT) weekly at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal.

Unmatched Transit Times and Direct Connectivity

The Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service advertises a 34-day transit time from Vietnam to Jacksonville, one of the fastest routes along this trade lane.

The service offers competitive direct-call transit times from key Asian ports to Jacksonville: 31 days from Yantian, China; 34 days from Haiphong and 37 days from Cai Mep in Vietnam; and 40 days from Singapore. Additional transshipment connections are available throughout Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia, providing fast transit times to and from Jacksonville. The service makes another call in Cartagena, Colombia before continuing to the U.S. and calling Jacksonville and other U.S. ports. This strategic pathway ensures seamless connectivity and timely deliveries for businesses operating between these regions.

This efficient sailing will benefit shippers dealing in a variety of commodities, including personal goods, furniture, home essentials, kitchenware and electronics, as well as traditional retailers and ecommerce sellers.

The service’s rotation includes port calls in Singapore (40-day transit); Cai Mep (37-day transit) and Haiphong (34-day transit), Vietnam; Yantian, China (31-day transit); and Cartagena, Colombia; before continuing to the U.S. and calling Jacksonville and other U.S. ports.

Enhancing Trade Between Vietnam and the Southeast U.S.

Ships in this service can have a carrying capacity of up to 14,000 TEUs and are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner marine fuel.

JAXPORT’s CEO Eric Green emphasized the strategic importance of this new service.

“The launch of the Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service underscores JAXPORT’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity for our shippers,” CEO Green said. “This direct link between Jacksonville and Vietnam and other strategic ports provides fast and efficient transit times while opening new avenues for trade that will benefit a wide range of industries in the Southeast U.S.”

Vietnam has solidified its position as a vital trading partner with the United States, with total trade between the two nations last year valued at $136 billion (USD) through November 2024, representing a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2023, according to statistics from S&P’s Global Trade Atlas.

The introduction of the Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service is set to further bolster this trade relationship, offering a direct and efficient route for these goods into the Southeast U.S. market, as well as for U.S. goods exported to Southeast Asia markets.

Strategic Timing and Operational Details

The inaugural departure of the Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service is scheduled from Cai Mep on Feb. 15, 2025, with the vessel ZIM Scorpio leading the voyage.

The ship is anticipated to arrive at JAXPORT on March 24, 2025.

Shippers should note the following critical dates. All times are local to the Tan Cang – Cai Mep Thi Vai (TCTT) terminal.

• Last gate in: Feb. 9 at 2 a.m.
• Cargo cutoff: Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.
• U.S. documentation: Feb. 13 at 2 a.m.

Adhering to these timelines will ensure smooth processing and timely shipments.

A Commitment to Growth and Efficiency

The eCommerce Xpress/Emerald service helps to ensure JAXPORT’s mission to provide global shipping solutions. With its direct route, competitive transit times and strategic partnerships, this service is set to benefit shippers operating between Southeast Asia and the Southeast United States.

For more information on how your business can benefit from the Ecommerce Xpress/Emerald service, please contact JAXPORT’s container sales team.