October 18 will see the launch by ZIM Integrated Shipping Services of a freight forwarding arm as it joins the growing number of shipping lines intent on providing an end-to-end solution.
The new subsidiary, Ship4wd, is described as a digital freight forwarding platform offering an online, simple and reliable self-service end-to-end shipping solution.
It will target US and Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) importing and exporting from China, Vietnam and Israel.
“It’s based on a one-stop-shop service, covering all aspects of the complex international shipping process. It enables customers without previous experience in cross-border shipping to manage their import and export business simply and efficiently, with live chat 24/7 support throughout the process,” says Eli Glickman, ZIM president and CEO.
It offers both sea and air shipping services up to the final destination, including land and rail transport.
Headed by Carmit Hoshen-Glik, it’s located in Herzliya.
"Similar to the way other groundbreaking platforms such as Airbnb in tourism and Uber in transportation have transformed their industries, we are aiming to enable everyone to be a self-shipper by simplifying and streamlining the transfer of goods worldwide down to its essence – a 'few clicks' shipping solution," says Assaf Tiran, ZIM VP global customer service.