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Generating the Future
As Mark Twain once said, "It's difficult to make predictions, especially about the future." When
Eli Glickman took up the reins as ZIM CEO in 2017, no one would dare to predict where the
company’s path led. After two debt restructurings, with a bleak business outlook, the company’s
situation seemed dire.
Fortunately, Glickman knew exactly what he’d gotten himself into and was no stranger to
seemingly impossible challenges. The man who had previously led the elite Shayetet 13 unit
and served as CEO of the Israel Electric Corporation was entering familiar territory. During his
time in the navy, Glickman had become friends with the late shipping magnate Sammy Ofer.
Now, Sammy’s son Idan Ofer was one of ZIM’s owners and felt that Glickman was the man for
the job. Although ZIM had high hopes for Glickman’s skills and abilities, no one was seeing
the future through rose-colored glasses: their expectations were realistic and nobody dared
to hope for the successes that were on the way.
"Start as fast as you can, then accelerate." Catching almost everyone by surprise, Glickman’s
half-joking slogan quickly became a concrete action plan for ZIM’s future. Shipping is a very
traditional industry: it’s tough to make changes to huge, complex activities that span the globe.
Much like changing the course of a massive container ship, even the smallest alteration takes
time. But Glickman approached this momentous task with composure and determination:
he planned nothing less than a complete transformation of the corporate culture that had
dominated ZIM for decades. Furthermore, this transformation would serve as the basis for rapid,
dramatic shifts in every aspect of the company’s operations, from port docking procedures to
how the employee cafeteria worked at HQ.
The seeds that Glickman had planted on day one – including a new vision and values, as well
as how to implement them in the challenging day-to-day world of global shipping – began to
bear fruit. Shortly after the start of his tenure, landmark cooperation agreements were signed
with the world’s two largest shipping companies, MSC and MAERSK, resulting in significant
benefits, such as improved efficiency, cost savings, and customer service. In addition, pioneering
collaborations with startups like WAVE BL, which introduced electronic bills of lading to the
conservative shipping world, were a clear indication of ZIM’s new direction: innovation,
audacity, and fresh thinking.
Black Swans
When the global COVID-19 pandemic erupted in 2019, it created a reality for which the world
was completely unprepared. Experts, leaders, government officials, and captains of industry
were all left scrambling for ways to cope with these unprecedented circumstances. However,
every crisis is also an opportunity and for ZIM, where crises had become the norm, this was a
historic chance to come out ahead. When the dramatic surge in eCommerce created record-
breaking demand, ZIM was there – the first to respond and lead this new wave through rapid
(and highly profitable) premium services. This invaluable ability to innovate and adapt quickly
was testament to the new and improved ZIM, with capabilities that led – in a bold, surprising
move – to an IPO on the NYSE in January 2021.
Previous attempts to take ZIM public had all failed. This time, Glickman led a meticulously
planned process, supported by experts from world-class law firm Davis Polk, as well as a team
of specialists from leading banks, such as Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Barclays, Jefferies, and
Clarkson. In some ways, the process felt like a nail-biting Hollywood thriller, but ZIM triumphed
against all the odds and the bell could finally be rung: ZIM was now a public company and had
raised precious new capital for its operations. This capital was almost immediately channeled
into an ambitious strategic plan, which involved signing long-term contracts to lease advanced
modern eco-friendly ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The plan was quickly put into action and LNG ships entered service in 2023: unique, instantly
recognizable vessels that herald a new era of clean technology. ZIM had not only made a
breakthrough, but also transformed itself in a way that was clear to see at ports worldwide.
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October 7, 2023
In the history of Israel, the events of October 7, 2023, were written in blood. The horrific "Black
Saturday" terrorist attacks left an entire nation shocked and traumatized, and resulted in a
lengthy war being waged on multiple fronts, during which Israeli civilians were repeatedly
forced to take shelter from missile attacks.
ZIM has always played a significant role in Israel’s story. So, even when that story became
darker and more threatening than ever, ZIM’s people rose to the challenge, demonstrating
yet again that incredible Israeli resilience. We were reborn from the ashes of this disaster, and
continued to persevere, work, innovate, and stay hopeful in the worst of times.
As in countless other emergencies, ZIM ships continued to call at Israeli ports, serving the needs
of Israeli industry and the economy in general. At the same time, the company’s worldwide
activities continued almost unchanged, as the Haifa headquarters kept on managing global
operations, even when sirens were wailing. ZIM’s ability to work remotely, honed during the
pandemic, was again called into service during this emergency.
ZIM was directly impacted by Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and was the first to
divert its ships from this region. Other shipping companies followed suit. Despite many
difficulties, including attacks on Israel’s northern border, 2024 was also a record year for ZIM,
producing exceptional financial results. It is hard to imagine any other company matching
these accomplishments under fire.
During this time, ZIM also directed its capabilities and resources to assist civilian communities,
focusing especially on the most vulnerable groups. ZIM made substantial donations to hospitals,
the wounded, those affected by trauma, and children, with funds used to give them hope
and build a better future for them. Particularly notable is ZIM’s contribution to establishing a
resilience center for children and young people in the southern city of Sderot. The company’s
internal support system for employees has also worked tirelessly, helping everyone to perform
their duties and achieve excellence while under immense, continuous pressure.
The War with Iran
When the military confrontation with Iran began on Friday, May 13, 2025, the State of Israel
entered a never-before-seen state of emergency. As ballistic missile strikes caused death
and destruction, ZIM immediately switched to emergency mode for all local operations. ZIM
Israel employees and HQ staff were directed to work from home in order to maintain crucial
business continuity. Meanwhile, managers ensured that a support and assistance system
was up and running for all employees who needed it. Sometimes, the help required was on a
very direct and practical level – the home of a ZIM Captain was hit by an Iranian missile while
he was at sea, resulting in severe damage. ZIM stepped in, helping his family and supporting
their recovery every step of the way.
While foreign companies suspended their activities in Israel, ZIM ships continued to serve Israel’s
economic needs under the threat of missiles, just as it has during other conflicts. The closure
of Israeli airspace left thousands of Israelis stranded abroad, including hundreds of doctors
who were now needed by their hospitals more than ever. ZIM came to the rescue, diverting two
container ships to the port of Limassol in Cyprus. There, dozens of doctors were able to board
and travel home to their families and patients in Israel. The huge welcome that awaited them at
Haifa Port, and the resounding phrase "Thank you for sailing ZIM" brought tears to the eyes of
many, including those in the media and the general public, evoking memories of bygone days.
Another project that was set up at lightning speed was ZIM ON AIR, which was intended to
provide an alternative solution for air transportation while the airports were closed. Goods
could be flown to a nearby destination and then taken by sea to Israel. As the war came to a
relatively quick end, this service became redundant, but the logistical capacity remains and ZIM
continues to provide auxiliary air transport services. This initiative was accompanied by a huge,
very successful marketing campaign that brought ZIM much goodwill and appreciation in Israel.
ZIM’s 80th anniversary year, 2025, was a year of upheaval and crisis. The long-awaited
Gaza ceasefire and return of the hostages after two unbearable years were greeted with
boundless joy and relief. However, ZIM continues to face new challenges every day, as
the world experiences dramatic geopolitical shifts and growing economic uncertainty.
ZIM can now meet these challenges from a position of strength, as one of the leading and
most successful companies in its field – a groundbreaking company with a reputation for
innovation that has become an inspirational role model.
The voyage that began 80 years ago continues steadily onward, as ZIM reaches goals that
its visionary founders could not have dreamed were possible. At ZIM, we not only dare to
dream, but also dare to deliver on that dream.