ZIM (shipping company)

{{Short description|Israeli shipping company}} {{About|the Israeli shipping company|the fictional character and television series|Invader Zim}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox company | name = Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. | logo = ZIM Logo.svg | logo_size = 200px | image = Zim_container.jpeg | image_size = | caption = | type = Public | traded_as = {{NYSE|ZIM}} | foundation = Haifa, Mandatory Palestine {{start date and age|June 7, 1945}} | founder = | defunct =  | location_city = Haifa | location_country = Israel | location = | locations = | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Eli Glickman (CEO) Yair Seroussi (Chairman) | industry = Shipping | products = | services = Container shipping, Refrigerated Cargo, Logistics | revenue = {{Increase}} US$ $10.73 billion (''2021'') | operating_income = | net_income = {{Increase}} US$ $4.65 Billion (''2021'') | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Kenon Holdings | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{official website}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

[[File:Container Ship Zim Virginia (4423755964).jpg|thumb|Zim container ship]] thumb|right|SS ''Kedma'', ZIM's first ship in 1947 thumb|SS Kedma 1947 [[File:Brillant SHALOM7.jpg|thumb|right|{{SS|Shalom}}, a ZIM ocean liner in the 1960s]] thumb|right|''Mezada'' thumb|right|''Mezada'' victims '''Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.''', commonly known as '''ZIM''' ({{langx|he|צים}}, ''tsim''; a biblical word meaning "a fleet of ships", Numbers 24:24), is a publicly held Israeli international cargo shipping company, and one of the top 20 global carriers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://alphaliner.axsmarine.com/PublicTop100/|title=PublicTop100|website=www.alphaliner.com|access-date=9 July 2024|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819163231/https://alphaliner.axsmarine.com/PublicTop100/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company's headquarters are in Haifa, Israel; Founded in 1945, ZIM has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 2021.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Once upon a time - the story of ZIM|url=https://www.zim.com/about-zim/history|access-date=2021-01-31|website=ZIM|archive-date=16 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216135804/https://www.zim.com/about-zim/history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=NYSE|url=https://www.nyse.com/quote/XNYS:ZIM|access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.nyse.com|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918174709/https://www.nyse.com/quote/XNYS:ZIM|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1948 to 2004, it traded as ZIM Israel Navigation Company.

In February 2026 the company was sold to Germany's Hapag-Lloyd for $4.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hazani |first1=Golan |last2=Calcalist |date=2026-02-16 |title=Israeli shipping giant Zim sold to Germany's Hapag-Lloyd for $4.2 billion |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/syj5pig00wx |access-date=2026-02-16 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref>

==History== === 20th century === ==== 1940s ==== ZIM was founded on June 7, 1945, as the ZIM Palestine Navigation Company Ltd (Hebrew: צים חברת השיט הארץ-ישראלית בע״מ), by the Jewish Agency, the Israel Maritime League and the Histadrut (General Federation of Laborers in the Land of Israel).<ref name=":1" /> The first ship was purchased in partnership with Harris and Dixon (based in London) in 1947. This vessel was refurbished, renamed SS ''Kedma,'' and sailed to the future state of Israel in the summer of 1947.<ref name="Cohen-Hattab">{{cite journal |last1=Cohen-Hattab |first1=Kobi |title=The Test of Maritime Sovereignty: The Establishment of the Zim National Shipping Company and the Purchase of the Kedmah, 1945–1952 |journal=Israel Studies |date=Summer 2015 |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=114, 117 |url=http://lisa.biu.ac.il/files/lisa/shared/tsym_vrkysht_qdmh.pdf |access-date=18 October 2019 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington IN |doi=10.2979/israelstudies.20.2.110 |s2cid=152327602 |issn=1084-9513 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113134725/https://lisa.biu.ac.il/files/lisa/shared/tsym_vrkysht_qdmh.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the State of Israel was established in 1948, the company was renamed ZIM Israel Navigation Company Ltd.<ref name="ssMaritime">{{cite web |last1=Goossens |first1=Reuben |title=Zim Israel Navigation Company |url=http://ssmaritime.com/ZIM.htm |website=ssMaritime |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> During its first years, its main task was transporting hundreds of thousands of immigrants to the emerging state.<ref name="Cohen-Hattab" /> Some of the other ships that had been used for clandestine immigration before the establishment of Israel as a state were confiscated by the British Mandate authorities and later joined the company's fleet. The company continued to purchase more ships, among them were SS ''Negba'', SS ''Artza'' and SS ''Galila''.<ref name="Bar-Tikva" />

During Israel’s War of Independence (1947-1949), the company was the sole maritime connection with the State of Israel, supplying food, freight and military equipment.

==== 1950s ==== In 1953, some of the money from the reparations agreement between Israel and West Germany was allocated to the purchase and construction of new ships. The {{SS|Bergensfjord}}, renamed ''Jerusalem'', sailed the Israel-New York route,<ref name="Simplon">{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/NorwegianAmerica.html#anchor139855 |title=Bergensfjord (1) (NAL: 1913-46) |publisher=Simplon Postcards - The Passenger Ship Website |access-date=31 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113114835/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/NorwegianAmerica.html|archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Another ship purchased with reparations money was the SS Theodor Herzl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 1957 |title=Germany Delivers Israel's Largest Passenger Ship As Reparations |url=https://www.jta.org/archive/germany-delivers-israels-largest-passenger-ship-as-reparations |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

The company took delivery of its first new vessels, the 9800 ton passenger-cargo liners SS ''Israel'' and SS ''Zion'' - later known as {{SS|Dolphin IV}}, in 1955 and 1956, respectively.

1957 saw the delivery of two more new ocean liners, the 10,000 ton sister ships SS ''Jerusalem'' and SS ''Theodor Herzl'', followed by the more modest, 7,800 ton SS ''Moledet'' in 1961, which featured an all-Tourist Class layout, targeted principally to American tourists looking for affordable transportation to the Holy Land.

ZIM was invited in 1957 by the Government of Ghana to assist the setting up and management of a national shipping line. Black Star Line was formed with a 40% participation by ZIM and principally operated cargo services from West Africa.<ref name="Bar-Tikva">{{cite web |last1=Bar-Tikva |first1=Chaim |title=The fifty-years success story of a shipping company: 1945-1995 |url=http://www.sapanut.org.il/HSDB/userdata/SendFile.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=2&GID=567&usg=AOvVaw04_fNlK6K0Q8HBhmBTl0Y9 |website=Friends of the National Maritime Museum |publisher=Zim Israel Navigation Company Ltd. |access-date=15 July 2019 |location=Haifa |pages=32–34 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810042822/http://www.sapanut.org.il/HSDB/userdata/SendFile.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=2&GID=567&usg=AOvVaw04_fNlK6K0Q8HBhmBTl0Y9 |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar joint venture - Burma Five Star Line - was made with the Burmese Government in 1959.<ref name="Bar-Tikva" />

==== 1960s ==== In 1950s and 1960s, ZIM concentrated on passenger ships, alongside a constant expansion of the cargo shipping business. Passenger liners were a common means of international transport before the emergence of cheap air transport, and pleasure cruises were also popular. ZIM sailed the Mediterranean Sea, as well as having regular routes to the United States. Some of its ships cruised to the Caribbean during the winter. 1964 saw the completion of the 25,000 ton ocean liner {{SS|Shalom}}, which turned out to be a failure, marking the end of the ZIM passenger shipping era.<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/shalom_1964.htm |title=T/S ''Shalom'' (1964) |access-date=16 February 2008 |author=Micke Asklander |language=sv |work=Fakta om Fartyg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501012004/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/shalom_1964.htm |archive-date=1 May 2011 }}</ref>

Due to rising airline competition and the market failure of the expensive new ''Shalom'', passenger services were gradually phased out between 1966 and 1969, as ZIM refocused on cargo shipping. ''Jerusalem'' was chartered out to British-based P&O Cruises in 1966 to become their ''Miami'', then sold entirely in 1968. The sisters ''Israel'' and ''Zion'' were both sold in 1966, while the expensive, new ''Shalom'' was retired and sold in 1967. ''Theodor Herzl'' and ''Moledet'' completed ZIM's final transatlantic passenger sailings during 1969 and were sold off, marking the end of the company's passenger division.

During the 1960s, ZIM started to turn its focus to cargo ships, and obtained several special-purpose vessels, including refrigerated ships and oil tankers. ZIM transported crude oil from Iran to Israel and oil byproducts from Israel to Europe.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

==== 1970s ==== In the 1970s, ZIM expanded into the container shipping business. ZIM ordered six such ships, and gradually made this its main line of business.

==== 1980s ==== In 1981, one of the company's ships, ''Mezada'', was lost at sea. ZIM went through a lull in maritime shipping at the beginning of the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==== 1990s ==== ZIM built 15 more ships in Germany in the 1990s. At this time, the ownership of ZIM was divided between the Israeli government and Israel Corporation.<ref name=Globes04>{{cite news|title=Israel Corp. to acquire state's Zim stake for $115m|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=761023|newspaper=Globes|date=13 January 2004}}</ref>

=== 21st century === ==== 2000s ==== In 2004, the Israel Corporation (which is controlled by the Ofer Brothers Group) purchased 49% of ZIM's shares held by the Israeli government, becoming the sole owner of the company.<ref name=Globes04 /> The new official name after privatization became ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. The purchase deal for about five hundred million New Israeli Shekels was severely criticized by the press and the State Comptroller of Israel<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mevaker.gov.il/serve/showHtml.asp?bookid=426&id=0&frompage=1099&contentid=7981&parentcid=7978&direction=1&bctype=0&frombutton=0&startpage=24&sw=1024&hw=698 |title=דוח שנתי 55ב לשנת 2004 ולחשבונות שנת הכספים 2003 - הליך מכירתן של מניות צים שבידי המדינה [Annual Report for 2004 and fiscal year 2003 - Sale of ZIM shares held by the State] |work=mevaker.gov.il |year=2013 |access-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225001441/http://www.mevaker.gov.il/serve/showHtml.asp?bookid=426&id=0&frompage=1099&contentid=7981&parentcid=7978&direction=1&bctype=0&frombutton=0&startpage=24&sw=1024&hw=698 |archive-date=25 February 2012 |language=he}}</ref> as being undervalued and becoming just another flag of convenience company. In 2007, ZIM sold its maritime logistics and forwarding services subsidiary NewLog to UTi Worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tal|first=Levy|title=Zim's Newlog unit in merger talks with UTi and Transclal|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/zim-s-newlog-unit-in-merger-talks-with-uti-and-transclal-1.192674|newspaper=Haaretz|date= 7 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122204142/http://www.haaretz.com/news/zim-s-newlog-unit-in-merger-talks-with-uti-and-transclal-1.192674|archive-date=22 January 2014}}</ref>thumb|''ZIM Barcelona'' off California, 2008

In 2008, ZIM planned to launch an initial public offering and selling 25% of its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, but due to the onset of the global economic crisis it was called off.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Robert|date=17 June 2008|title=Israel Corp calls off Zim shipping flotation|newspaper=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cbef9548-3c05-11dd-9cb2-0000779fd2ac|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150507035629/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cbef9548-3c05-11dd-9cb2-0000779fd2ac.html%23axzz1eppGWK7P|archive-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> In 2009, ZIM required a cash injection of $450 million by the Ofer family and debt restructuring following the world's container shipping downturn.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Robert|date=24 November 2011|title=Zim and MISC signal deepening container ship crisis|newspaper=Financial Times|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c4f1ab3a-1697-11e1-be1d-00144feabdc0.html}}</ref>

==== 2010s ==== In 2010, ZIM regained profitability and in early 2011 ZIM renewed its plans for a flotation on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, but again had to postpone it due to the economic downturn and the drop in container shipping rates.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rochvarger|first=Michael|date=27 June 2011|title=Ofers' Zim navigates around obstacles on way to Hong Kong Stock Exchange IPO|newspaper=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/themarker/ofers-zim-navigates-around-obstacles-on-way-to-hong-kong-stock-exchange-ipo-1.369762}}</ref>

In 2014, unloading of a ZIM ship at the Port of Oakland was delayed by anti-Israel protesters. Longshoremen declined to load the ship out of safety concerns, taking no position on the underlying dispute,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2014/08/volatile-atmosphere-at-gaza-demonstration-prevents-longshoremen-from-entering-port-of-oakland-terminal/|title = Volatile atmosphere at Gaza demonstration prevents Longshoremen from entering Port of Oakland terminal (ILWU Coast Longshore Division news release)|access-date = 1 October 2014|archive-date = 1 August 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190801013636/http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2014/08/volatile-atmosphere-at-gaza-demonstration-prevents-longshoremen-from-entering-port-of-oakland-terminal/|url-status = live}}</ref> but unloaded the ship after their safety was assured.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Protest-hobbled-ship-is-partially-unloaded-sails-5700706.php|title = Ship hit by protests unloads, leaves Oakland|last = Lee|first = Henry|date = 21 August 2014|work = sfgate.com|access-date = 1 October 2014|archive-date = 6 December 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221206194623/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Protest-hobbled-ship-is-partially-unloaded-sails-5700706.php|url-status = live}}</ref> Other protests in Los Angeles<ref>{{cite news|title=Israeli ship remains at sea as thousands of protesters gather in Oakland|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/17/israeli-ship-remains-at-sea-thousands-protesters-gather|access-date=21 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 August 2014|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017072232/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/17/israeli-ship-remains-at-sea-thousands-protesters-gather|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Calif. protesters block Israel-owned ship at Port of Oakland|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/18/calif-protesters-block-israel-owned-ship-port-oakl/|access-date=21 August 2014|newspaper=Washington Times|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004154428/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/18/calif-protesters-block-israel-owned-ship-port-oakl/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Protesters: We prevented Zim ship from unloading cargo in LA|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2014-08-24/ty-article/.premium/zim-ship-prevented-from-unloading-cargo-in-la/0000017f-e745-d97e-a37f-f76530890000|website=Haaretz|access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Local Groups Picket Israeli Ship at Port of Long Beach|url=http://lbpost.com/news/2000004276-israel-palestine-conflict-result-in-local-protest-at-port-of-long-beach#.U_zPqrywLJE|website=Long Beach Post|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=3 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165716/http://lbpost.com/news/2000004276-israel-palestine-conflict-result-in-local-protest-at-port-of-long-beach#.U_zPqrywLJE|url-status=live}}</ref> and Tacoma, Washington<ref>{{cite web|title=Protesters Fail to Block Zim Ship in Tacoma|url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Protesters-Fail-to-Block-Zim-Ship-in-Tacoma-2014-08-25|website=The Maritime Executive|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609141750/https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Protesters-Fail-to-Block-Zim-Ship-in-Tacoma-2014-08-25|url-status=live}}</ref> failed to stop the unloading of cargo from ZIM ships. A second demonstration bypassed Oakland for Los Angeles when longshoremen, not participating in the protest, refused to unload the ship after being physically threatened and their vehicles blocked when they tried to report for work.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-israeli-ship-idUSL2N0RU24620140929|title = Israeli cargo ship heads for L.A. to unload after Oakland protest|date = 29 September 2014|work = Reuters|access-date = 1 October 2014}}</ref> Protesters' claim they impacted ZIM's shipping schedule was denied by the company, and the local Jewish Community Council denounced the "hateful" rhetoric of the demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jweekly.com/2014/10/31/no-blockade-zim-ship-bypasses-oakland/|title=No blockade, Zim ship bypasses Oakland|date=2014-10-31|work=The Jewish News of Northern California|access-date=2017-10-13|language=en-US|archive-date=15 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015063533/https://jweekly.com/2014/10/31/no-blockade-zim-ship-bypasses-oakland/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2014, by which time the company was almost wholly owned by Israel Corporation, ZIM was restructured with 68% of the group's shares owned by its creditors and bondholders, and 32% retained by Israel Corporation, and starting early 2015 by Kenon Holdings, a spin-off company of Israel Corporation.<ref name="ZimBlockade">{{cite news|date=19 August 2014|title=Oakland workers on docks refuse to load shipo from Israel|publisher=San Francisco Star|url=http://www.sanfranciscostar.com/index.php/sid/224901193|access-date=19 August 2014|archive-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821134520/http://www.sanfranciscostar.com/index.php/sid/224901193|url-status=dead}}</ref> In mid-to-late 2015, plans to revive an initial public offering were implemented. ZIM debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2021, with the backing of Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Barclays.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=2021-01-28|title=Zim Wall Street IPO falls short|language=en|work=Globes|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-zim-wall-street-ipo-falls-short-1001358792|access-date=2021-02-01|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411151950/https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-zim-wall-street-ipo-falls-short-1001358792|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2020s ==== In March 2021, ZIM reported the biggest profit in its 75-year history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-22 |title='Revitalised' Zim reports biggest profit in its 75-year history |url=https://theloadstar.com/revitalised-zim-reports-biggest-profit-in-its-75-year-history/ |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=The Loadstar}}</ref>

In December 2023 the Malaysian Government rescinded its permit for ZIM to use their ports, responding to "Israel's actions that ignore basic humanitarian principles and violate international law" in the Gaza war.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 December 2023 |editor=Nadia Ragozhina |title=Malaysian PM welcomes ban on Israeli-flagged ships |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67768062?post=asset%3A37307864-48d0-4b1e-85ba-ddd9cba64660#post |access-date=13 May 2026 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

The company experienced two chartered vessel incidents in September 2025. First, on September 9, about 75 containers<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Containership Diverts to Korea After Fire is Contained |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/containership-diverts-to-korea-after-fire-is-contained |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref> fell from boxship ''Mississippi'' at Pier G of the Port of Long Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=67 containers fall off Zim ship in Port of Long Beach |url=https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/accidents/67-containers-fall-off-zim-ship-in-port-of-long-beach |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Seatrade Maritime News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ZIM Container Ship Incident at Port of Long Beach: What We Know So Far |url=https://www.seavantage.com/blog/zim-container-ship-incident-port-long-beach-analysis |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.seavantage.com |language=en}}</ref> Two weeks later, another ship, ''MV Colorado'', suffered a fire, as it embarked on a Pacific crossing, en route to the Port of Los Angeles, and was diverted to Busan, South Korea.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire Aboard ZIM's MV Colorado Leads to Diversion to Busan |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/maritime-news/14/accidents/2025/12396/fire-aboard-zims-mv-colorado-leads-to-diversion-to-busan |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.marinetraffic.com |language=en}}</ref>

Since going public in 2021, ZIM's valuation has been volatile, a condition exasperated by the repercussions of the Gaza war and underlying market conditions. In December 2025, the board confirmed that it was considering options up to and including the sale of ZIM, initiating a flurry of purchase speculation, particularly from Hapag-Lloyd. The potential sale of the company was complicated by the Israeli government's share in ZIM, and the company's national security importance to Israel. A potential purchase by Hapag-Lloyd has been the subject of particular consternation in Israel, due to the interests of Arab states in Hapag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Container Majors Are All Interested in Buying Zim |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/report-container-majors-are-all-interested-in-buying-zim |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Angell |first=Michael |date=4 December 2025 |title=Hapag-Lloyd buyout offer for Zim unlikely to get far: report |url=https://joc.com/article/hapag-lloyd-buyout-offer-for-zim-unlikely-to-get-far-report-6128796 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=S&P Journal of Commerce |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2026, Hapag-Lloyd signed a deal to purchase ZIM for $4.2 billion. Under the agreement, Hapag-Lloyd was to sell ZIM’s Israeli operations to the FIMI private equity fund.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hazani |first1=Golan |last2=Calcalist |date=2026-02-16 |title=Israeli shipping giant Zim sold to Germany's Hapag-Lloyd for $4.2 billion |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/syj5pig00wx |access-date=2026-02-16 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref> Following the announcement of the acquisition, employees of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services launched strike actions that disrupted port operations, including the suspension of some loading and unloading activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel's ZIM workers ramp up strike in protest over Hapag-Lloyd takeover |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/israels-zim-workers-ramp-up-strike-protest-over-hapag-lloyd-takeover-2026-02-17/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wrobel |first=Sharon |date=2026-02-15 |title=German shipping giant in talks to buy Israel's Zim for up to $3.5B; workers go on strike |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hapag-lloyd-in-advanced-talks-to-buy-israels-zim-shipping-giant-workers-go-on-strike/ |access-date=2026-02-18 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> As of March 2026, the deal has not gone through. It is still awaiting approval by the Israeli Government Companies Authority. Maersk has offered a deal to purchase ZIM should the Hapag-Lloyd purchase fall through.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saratsopoulou |first=Antonia |date=March 16, 2026 |title=ZIM sale to Hapag-Lloyd faces review as Maersk waits |url=https://container-news.com/zim-sale-to-hapag-lloyd-faces-review-as-maersk-waits/ |work=Container News}}</ref> Stockholders representing 97% of the shares in Zim, equivalent to 57.2M shares, voted in favor of the deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallis |first=Keith |title=Zim shareholders overwhelmingly approve takeover by Hapag-Lloyd |url=https://joc.com/article/zim-shareholders-overwhelmingly-approve-takeover-by-hapag-lloyd-6213008 |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=Journal of Commerce |language=en}}</ref>

==Operational statistics== *Annual turnover 2018: $3.2 billion *TEU's Carried in 2018: 2,914,000 million *Total TEU Capacity (owned and chartered vessels): 344,460 TEU's *Containers: over 547,000 TEUs of various types *About 70 vessels, 13 fully or partly owned *Ports of Call: 180 throughout the world, with 10 strategically located hubs *Services: Over 70 lines and services, mostly on a weekly, fixed-day basis, covering all major trade routes with regional connections *Employees: ~4200 *Regional Headquarters: Haifa, Israel; Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.; Liverpool, UK; Hamburg, Germany; Hong Kong *Agents: ZIM has more than 170 offices and representatives in over 100 countries throughout the world<ref>{{cite web |title=Facts & Figures |url=http://www.zim.com/aboutus/pages/factsandfigures.aspx |website=www.zim.com |access-date=1 October 2015 |archive-date=2 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002080711/http://www.zim.com/aboutus/pages/factsandfigures.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Fleet == {| class="wikitable" |+Container ship classes of ZIM !Ship class !Built !Capacity (TEU) !Ships in class !Notes |- | |2023–onwards |5,300 |8 |Long-term charter from Navios Maritime Partners<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-10 |title=ZIM confirms US$870 million charter deal for 13 boxships |url=https://container-news.com/zim-confirms-us870-million-chartering-deal-for-13-boxships/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Container News |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | |2023–onwards |5,500 |6 |To be built by HJ Shipbuilding & Construction. Long-term charter from MPC Capital AG<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=ZIM announces new chartering transaction for six 5,500 TEU newbuildings |url=https://container-news.com/zim-announces-new-chartering-transaction-for-six-5500-teu-newbuildings/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Container News |language=en-US}}</ref> |}

== Former Passenger Fleet == {| class="wikitable" |+Former passenger fleet ships<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZIM Line; SS Israel, Zion, Jerusalem (II), Theodor Herzl & MS Moledet |url=http://ssmaritime.com/ZIM-2.htm |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=ssmaritime.com}}</ref> ! !Name !Built !Years with Zim Lines !Yard Built !Statistics !Status |- |frameless |SS ''Kedma'' |1926 |1947-1952 |Vickers Shipbuilding Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, UK |3,504 GRT |Scrapped 1957 in England |- |frameless |SS ''Negbah'' |1915 |1948-1956 |Royal Schelde, Vlissingen, Netherlands |5,544 GRT |Scrapped 1957 in Italy |- |frameless |SS ''Jerusalem'' (I) |1913 |1953-1959 |Cammell Laird & Co., at Birkenhead, UK |10,699 GRT |Sold to Italy for scrapping in August 1959, arriving at La Spezia 13 August 1959 |- |frameless |SS ''Galilah'' |1915 |1948-1952 |Harlan and Hollingsworth (Bethlehem Steel) ship yards at Wilmington, DE, USA |3,899 GRT |Scrapped in 1953 in Italy |- | |SS ''Artsa'' |1930 |1949-1963 |Vegesack, Germany | |Scrapped in Haifa Israel |- |frameless |SS ''Israel'' |1955 |1955-1966 |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |Scrapped in 1974 as the ''Angra do Heroismo'' in Taiwan |- |frameless |SS ''Zion'' |1956 |1956-1966 |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |Scrapped in 2003 as ''Dolphin IV'' |- |frameless |SS ''Jerusalem (II)'' |1957 |1957-1968 |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |9,800 ton |Sank on way to breakers yards in Taiwan on October 3, 1979 |- |frameless |SS ''Theodor Herzl'' |1957 |1957-1969 |Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany |9,800 ton |In 1991 whilst being refitted at Piraeus sadly she caught fire and she sunk, pieces raised and scrapped. |- | |SS ''Moledet'' |1961 |1961-1969 |A&C de Bretagne Nantes, France | 7,811 GRT | |- |frameless |''SS Shalom'' |1964 |1964 -1968 |Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St Nazaire, France |25,320 GRT |Sunk outside Cape St. Francis, 26 July 2001 |}

==References== {{reflist|2}}

== External links == * {{Official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20210113173146/http://www.sapanut.org.il/HSDB/userdata/SendFile.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=2&GID=567 Zim Israel Navigation Company Ltd.: The Fifty-Years Success Story of a Shipping Company, 1945–1995] by Chaim Bar-Tikva. Haifa, 1996 * [https://lisa.biu.ac.il/sites/lisa/files/shared/tsym_vrkysht_qdmh.pdf The Test of Maritime Sovereignty: The Establishment of the Zim National Shipping Company and the Purchase of the Kedmah, 1945–1952] by Kobi Cohen-Hattab. ''Israel Studies'', Volume 20, Number 2, Summer 2015, pp. 110–134, Indiana University Press

Category:Shipping companies of Israel Category:Container shipping companies Category:Water transport in Israel Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Israel Category:Companies based in Haifa Category:Transport companies established in 1945 Category:Israeli brands Category:Formerly government-owned companies of Israel Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange