ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) has announced the launch of a new service connecting Asia and East Coast South America, named ZIM Falcon Service (ZFS).
Operated exclusively by ZIM, the service is scheduled to commence in September 2026.
The rotation will call at Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranagua, Navegantes, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires, before returning to Shanghai. The maiden voyage is scheduled for 13 September 2026, with the first call at the Port of Shanghai.
ZIM said the service is designed to offer market-leading transit times for time-sensitive cargo moving out of South China, alongside the fastest transit currently available from the River Plate region back to the Far East.
The company positioned this as a particular advantage for agricultural and industrial exporters across the region.
Key transit times cited by the carrier include a 24-day transit from Yantian to Rio de Janeiro and 26 days to Santos.
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On the return leg, ZIM said the service offers direct connections from Buenos Aires to Shanghai in 27 days and to Ningbo in 29 days, which it described as the fastest transit currently available from the River Plate region to the Far East.
The service will also provide direct transit from Yantian to Argentina and the River Plate region, along with enhanced connections to Paranagua and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
ZIM highlighted its cargo handling capabilities as part of the offering, including reefer plug availability and what it described as the youngest refrigerated fleet in the industry, intended to support cold-chain integrity for perishable cargo.
The carrier also said the service will handle out-of-gauge, hazardous, and EV shipments through its dedicated vessel fleet.
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ZIM confirmed that its existing ASE service will remain fully operational and continue serving customers until ZFS launches in September.
Eran Epstein, VP Latin America Business Unit at ZIM, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of ZIM Falcon (ZFS), joining our expanding portfolio of independent services. This new service strengthens our presence on the Asia – East Coast South America trade and enhances our ability to deliver reliable, fast and flexible solutions to our customers.”
The launch adds to ZIM’s independent service portfolio on the Asia–East Coast South America trade lane, expanding the carrier’s connectivity options for shippers moving cargo between the two regions ahead of the September start date.
For more information:
ZIM – https://www.zim.com/
