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2025/02/24
When discussing fast ocean shipping services from China to the U.S., Matson is inevitably the first name that comes up. Though not a massive carrier, Matson has long been regarded as the "gold standard" of premium service, setting the benchmark in the industry.
But Matson’s most glaring drawback is painfully obvious—it’s notoriously expensive! In this analysis, we’ll explore ZIM’s ZEX/ZX2 and CMA’s EXX as competitive alternatives to Matson and examine how they stack up against each other.
| Criteria | ZEX (ZIM eCommerce Xpress) | ZX2 (ZIM Central China Express) | EXX (CMA CGM Express) |
| Affiliated Ocean Shipping Company | ZIM Integrated Shipping Services | ZIM Integrated Shipping Services | CMA CGM |
| Launch Date | June 2020 (Yantian-LA route) | 3-Jul-24 | 2021 (exact month unspecified) |
| Origin Port | Southern China (Yantian Port, Shenzhen) | Central China (Ningbo Port) | Eastern China (Ningbo Port, Shanghai Port) |
| Destination Port | Los Angeles Port (WBCT Terminal) | Los Angeles Port | Los Angeles Port (TraPac Terminal) |
| Transit Time | Yantian → LA: 12 days (fastest) | Ningbo → LA: 13 days (industry-leading) | Shanghai → LA: 11 days |
| Ningbo → LA: 12 days | |||
| Key Features | - Priority loading/unloading | - Dedicated berths/chassis for rapid unloading | - Priority cargo labeling & refund guarantee |
| - Delayed Yantian cutoff (Wednesday AM) | - Direct rail connections to US inland cities | - Dedicated TraPac Terminal facilities | |
| - Includes Cai Mep Port, Vietnam (2024 expansion) | - No appointment pickup | ||
| Pickup Process | With trailer service: Same-day pickup | No appointment needed (priority lanes) | Same-day unloading & pickup (TraPac Terminal) |
| Without trailer: 4-7 days wait | |||
| Ideal For | Time-sensitive e-commerce goods from Southern China | Central China cargo balancing speed & inland logistics | Cost-sensitive, time-critical shipments from Eastern China (lower cost vs. Matson) |
| Pricing Tier | Mid-to-high end (premium for trailer service) | Mid-to-high end | Mid-range (competitively priced vs. Matson) |
| Route Expansion | Added Cai Mep Port, Vietnam (2024) | Dedicated Central China-US West Coast route | Return routes via Yokohama, Busan, and biweekly Honolulu stops |
1. Launch Context
ZEX: Launched by ZIM in 2020 to serve Southern China, expanded to Vietnam’s Cai Mep Port in 2024.
ZX2: ZIM’s July 2024 service targeting Central China, emphasizing rail connectivity and efficiency.
EXX: CMA CGM’s 2021 offering to rival Matson, leveraging TraPac Terminal efficiency at lower costs.
2. Service Differentiation
ZEX vs. ZX2: Both under ZIM but focus on different regions (Southern vs. Central China).
EXX:Matches ZEX in speed (11-12 days) but prioritizes cost-effectiveness for Eastern China shipments.
2. Terminal Advantages
ZIM guarantees priority berths and chassis (e.g., ZX2’s no-appointment pickup).
EXX’s TraPac Terminal ensures same-day pickup but may face congestion during peak seasons.
For real-time schedules or quotes, consult the official websites of ZIM/CMA CGM or their logistics partnersTRANBAY.
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