Israeli marine carrier ZIM expands shipping services in Vietnam

Israel's ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. and Vietnam’s Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC announced Friday the launch of Lotus Link, their joint venture to operate domestic shipping services in Vietnam.

Lotus Link plans to inaugurate its first service this March, serving major ports in HCMC in the south, Danang in the central region, and Hai Phong in the north as well as satellite provinces and its hinterlands.

The network, therefore, will benefit Vietnamese manufacturers, importers, and exporters, ZIM said. The new joint venture will also provide landside logistics services like trucking and customs brokerage services, the heavyweight added.

Abraham Elias, ZIM Vietnam country manager, said: “With the rapid expansion of manufacturing activities to satellite provinces, this joint venture provides ZIM with the operational flexibility to extend its reach and expand the scope of services offered to its customers.”

Hai An, headquartered in Hai Phong with offices across Vietnam, is listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange as HAH. The Vietnamese transporter has been involved in domestic shipping in Vietnam for over 10 years and is today one of the largest liners in the country. It is also engaged in a wide range of marine and logistics-related activities including terminal operations, offshore services, shipping agency container depot operations, and warehousing.

After inauguration, Lotus Link will deploy Vietnamese-flagged vessels to serve both local and international trade. The joint venture plans to expand its presence in HCMC and Danang later this year.