Mediterranean Shipping Company joins Zim in Tampa-based Latin loop

GENEVA-based Mediterranean Shipping Company is to join the port of Tampa, Florida in partnership with Zim in direct calls to Caucedo, Kingston, Veracruz and Altamira.

The addition of the second-largest containership operator is a further boost to a port that wants to position itself as a port for trade with Latin America and Asia ahead of Panama Canal expansion to benefit from container volumes seen at Miami container terminals.

It will provide three of five 3,000-TEU containerships on the service while Zim is to offer two.

Tampa port director and CEO Paul Anderson said the boost will open opportunities to increase its annual throughput of 40,000 TEU.

"MSC will open up new destinations and options for exporters and importers via the Port of Tampa and we are excited to be working with them to expand trade and economic opportunities, not just for the Central Florida market but for the entire State and beyond," he said, according to London's Containerisation International.