The Port of Virginia is pleased to announce a cooperative effort with ZIM USA that will greatly enhance service at the Port of Richmond, on Virginia’s James River. Ocean carrier ZIM is offering a Richmond bill of lading to the shipping public, both importers and exporters. Any shipper tendering cargo to or from ZIM at the Port of Richmond will have access to the 180 ports served by the fast-growing ocean carrier. “This is another significant achievement in expanding the service to Port of Richmond,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “This decision by ZIM adds to the increasing significance of the barge service that connects the Port of Virginia and the Port of Richmond. This move will be beneficial to our mutual customers, the economic development community, the port and ZIM.” The 64 Express, owned and operated by James River Barge Line, LLC, currently offers three, weekly, roundtrip container-on-barge sailings between Norfolk International Terminals, APM Terminals Virginia (Portsmouth) and the Port of Richmond (5000 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, VA). On an annual average, the barge service accounts for about 12,000 fewer truck trips on Interstate 64. In addition congestion mitigation, the barge helps to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and wear-and-tear on the roads. “ZIM is using The Port of Virginia in order to provide service to the furniture and finished product manufacturers from Asia and the regional refrigerated freight market and paper mills needs in export to both Atlantic and Pacific trades,” said Lea Bogatch-Genossar, ZIM’s Americas, Canada and Caribbean-area president. “The Richmond bill of lading is another extension we’re offering to the market that will enable more environment-friendly transportation, as part of our vision to support the environment and community.”