Israeli container line Zim is stepping up its cooperation with the 2M Alliance following news this week that South Korea's HMM is leaving.

The boxship company said it is launching two new direct services between Asia and the US Gulf as part of its collaboration with Maersk Line and MSC.

The first string is called Zim US Gulf Central China Xpress (ZGC), which uses 10 6,500-teu vessels.