ZIM Integrated Shipping Services is launching a new service covering ports in South East Asia and Australia.

The company said the new service would expand its coverage of the Australian market, offering a direct service between Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Fremantle.

Zim executive vice-president intra-Asia BU Danny Hoffmann said the company was improving its network to benefit its customers.

“This new expanded product in Oceania will offer customers wider port coverage in the region while enjoying Zim’s exceptional and personal customer services,” he said.

The Thailand Fremantle Express (TFX) service will follow this rotation: Ho Chi Minh – Laem Chabang – Port Klang – Sydney – Melbourne – Fremantle – Port Klang – Ho Chi Minh.

The service will call two DP World terminals – Laem Chabang and Fremantle. The inaugural Zim TFX service arrived at Fremantle on 30 January.

DP World Australia CEO Andrew Adam said the new TFX service would further bolster trade connectivity between WA and markets in Asia.

“As a strategic link to the Western Australian economy, DP World is committed to improving trading opportunities that will support and meet the needs of our customers and contribute to local economic growth and competitiveness,” he said.

DP World CEO and managing director for Asia Pacific and Australasia Glen Hilton said the company’s investment into its Fremantle business would help build a divers and flexible operating model.

“The new Zim TFX service is a further boost to these efforts as we look to unlock opportunities for our customers and partners by transforming port operations and connect Australian businesses to new and emerging markets,” he said.

Other changes in connections with Australia and SE Asia

Zim’s announcement comes on the heels of an announced revamp of a combined service between Australia and South East Asia by ANL, Maersk, Hapag Lloyd and Ocean Network Express.

The services, announced in mid-January, will replace the Komodo and Cobra services (in Maersk parlance) with Greater Australia Connect (GAC), Eastern Australia Connect (EAC) and Western Australia Connect (WAC).

GAC will call Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney Adelaide and Fremantle. EAC will call Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore, Brisbane, Sydney and Brisbane. And WAC will call Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore and Fremantle.

In ANL parlance, the new services (AAX-S, AAX-E and AAX-W) will replace the current AAX1 and AAX2 services.

For Hapag-Lloyd, the same services are called South East Asia – Australia (SAL) Service, South East Asia – Australia Loop 2 (SEA), and South East Asia – Australia Loop 3 (S2A).

And ONE calls them. AU1, AU2 and WAW.