Israel’s Flagship: ZIM company and the SS Shalom

Today, more than ever, the story of SS Shalom and ZIM symbolizes the pride of the Israeli and Jewish community and the need for representation on the global stage.

Founded in 1945, “ZIM” Israel Navigation Company played a central role in the development of Israel. In its earliest years, ZIM was instrumental in transporting Holocaust survivors and Jewish immigrants to the new homeland, often aboard aging, second-hand vessels. Yet the company represented something larger: the rebirth of a nation and its place in the world.

By the late 1950s, ZIM envisioned a new era, linking Haifa and New York. The company commissioned the famous SS Shalom ship. Shalom was built to represent Israel on the world stage—a bold Israeli presence on international waters. The ship was a source of much national enthusiasm and pride, and her name—Shalom—was chosen by a special committee led by then-President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi.

However, when SS Shalom entered service in 1964, the golden age of ocean liners was drawing to a close, eclipsed by the rise of commercial air travel. After just three years in service, ZIM sold the ship. But Shalom still endures in the memory of Israel as an important representation of national pride and a new era.

As Israel’s national shipping line, ZIM grew alongside the state itself, evolving into a leading global company while continuing to carry the weight of Israeli cultural identity and economic resilience. Today, ZIM continues to thrive, and its legacy is as important. Today, more than ever, the story of SS Shalom and ZIM symbolizes the pride of the Israeli and Jewish community and their need for representation on the global stage.

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