Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) has added a new container service linking Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, with the first call made by the vessel Sapphire. According to FreightWaves, the service is the ZCP-Amberjack rotation, operated by Zim and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC).
New Service Details
FreightWaves reported that the ZCP-Amberjack service calls at Jaxport’s Blount Island Marine Terminal weekly. The rotation includes key ports in Asia, the U.S. East Coast, and Caribbean transshipment hubs.
| Port | Country/Region |
|---|---|
| Qingdao | China |
| Ningbo | China |
| Shanghai | China |
| Busan | South Korea |
| Manzanillo | Panama |
| Cartagena | Colombia |
| Charleston | USA (South Carolina) |
| Savannah | USA (Georgia) |
| Jacksonville | USA (Florida) |
| Kingston | Jamaica |
| Return to Busan | South Korea |
Transit Times and Vessels
FreightWaves stated that transit times from North Asia range from 28 to 32 days. The vessels deployed in the service are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and can be bunkered in Jacksonville.
Expanded Connectivity
According to FreightWaves, the service connects through Zim’s transshipment hubs in Kingston, Jamaica, and Cartagena, Colombia to various international markets, including the west coast of South America. Transshipment also offers access to:
- Latin America: Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana
- The Caribbean: First-time connectivity to Aruba, along with Curacao and Panama
- The Mediterranean: Ports in Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt
- Asia: Strengthened connectivity to China, Vietnam, Singapore
Shipper and Operator Implications
Jaxport Chief Commercial Officer Robert Peek said, in a release cited by FreightWaves, “This new service provides our customers with reliable connections to key Asian markets and expanded access to international destinations through an established global network. These enhanced capabilities help our customers move cargo more efficiently while strengthening Jacksonville’s role as a gateway for global trade.”
For freight forwarders and logistics managers, the new rotation expands options for moving cargo between the U.S. Southeast and Asia, while also providing improved access to Latin America and the Mediterranean via transshipment. The use of LNG-powered vessels may appeal to shippers with sustainability goals. Transit times of 28-32 days provide an alternative to longer routes through other U.S. gateways.
Watch List
Industry observers will monitor whether the service attracts sufficient volumes to sustain the weekly frequency and whether Jaxport sees additional investments in infrastructure to support growing transshipment activity.
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