Port News

[ombugge]

Li Ka-shing steps back from ports, sells to MSC and BlackRock - Splash247

CK Hutchison’s co-managing director Frank Sixt said: “This transaction is the result of a rapid, discrete but competitive process in which numerous bids and expressions of interest were received.” He described the transaction valuation as “compelling” something shareholders agreed upon with the conglomerate’s share price leaping by as much as 25% on Wednesday.

BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, is already a substantial investor in ports via its Global Infrastructure Partners division while MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) was already on a par with Hutchison in terms of teu throughput following many acquisitions during the great container shipping boom of the 2020s.

MSC’s acquisition – and its new status as a standalone operator on the main east-west trades – will likely result in a rejigging of its global network to call at its newly acquired terminals.

[ombugge]

How does US media manage to get this transaction to be ONLY about the two terminals in Panama and a win for Trump?:

The Art of the Canal Deal: How BlackRock Brokered Trump Win in Panama

In more sober media it is about dominance between liner services and their terminal operation and a win for MSC, not Trump:

Stunning Hutchison ports sale will usher in prolonged period of liner network...

MSC’s stunning $22.8bn deal with BlackRock to take over Hutchison’s non-China terminals will see the carrier vault over the likes of PSA International, COSCO, APM Terminals and DP World on Drewry’s list to boast a combined volume of 78.3m teu.

The record-breaking deal will require a lengthy regulatory approval from across the world. The ports transaction covers 43 ports comprising 199 berths in 23 countries.
“This is a landmark deal for the sector which will skyrocket MSC to the top of our global terminal operator league tables, but we do expect that there will need to be some rationalisation of the portfolios to meet regulatory requirements,” commented Eleanor Hadland, Drewry’s senior associate for ports and terminals.

[spowiednick]

All Hutchison’s holdings in PL ( Gdansk, Gdynia) will be taken by Black Rock too. Looks like the newly acquired mega container gantries recently delivered fm China will have to be replaced on host country nickel as tthey are considered as spy equipment targeted at Nato . It is effing mess here.

[ombugge]

Maybe not; " bringing into question whether the transaction, the largest ports deal in history, will be completed":

Beijing blasts sale of Hutchison Ports - Splash247

The Ta Kung Pao article, which is dominating headlines in Hong Kong today, described 96-year-old Li’s deal as a “hegemonic act” by the US using its national power to encroach on the legitimate rights and interests of other countries through “despicable means” such as coercion, pressure and inducement.

“This is exactly why some internet users have generally questioned and criticised the deal by CK Hutchison Holdings,” the commentary read.
“They believe it is kneeling down, a mercenary act which disregards national interests and national justice, betrays and sells out all Chinese people. These emotional expressions of internet users are completely understandable.”

[Hogsnort]

If one expects independent comment The Liaison Office replaced the Xinhua News Agency’s Hong Kong office, the unofficial representative of the government of China in Hong Kong until the handover of Hong Kong, in 1997. Under the system “one institution with two names,” it also holds the alternative name of the Hong Kong Work Committee of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.from the originator of that article you would be disappointed.

[spowiednick]

Beijing looks to put the brakes on the sale of Hutchison Ports - Splash247

quote:

POTUS will be choking on his cornflakes this morning!
Maybe he will decide to ”liberate” the PanCan tomorrow in addition to all his tariffs as it means
Beijing telling Donny Convict to stop embarrassing the USA and grow up
end quote fm comments section

[ombugge]

Trump was touting his Panama victory. Then China stepped in.

A huge deal President Donald Trump touted as a victory in his campaign to “take back” the Panama Canal from China could be on the rocks amid pushback from Beijing.

The $23 billion sale involving two ports run by CK Hutchison, a private company based in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong, to a consortium led by the U.S. investment firm BlackRock had been scheduled to be signed last week.

Trump quickly declared victory. “To further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we’ve already started doing it,” he said in an address to Congress last month, citing the proposed deal.

[ombugge]

Hutchison draws level with PSA on revenues - Splash247

The latest data from Alphaliner covering the world’s largest global terminal operators shows Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports’ revenue leapt 11% last year to draw level with Singapore’s PSA International, despite moving far fewer boxes.

[ombugge]

Singapore's PSA Weighs Selling Minority Stake in CK Hutchison's Ports Business

PSA bought its 20% stake for $4.4 billion in 2006 and has looked at selling previously. Reuters reported in late 2022 that PSA weighed a potential sale. But the two sources said it put the process on hold months later after global shipping activity weakened.
Outside of its stake in CK Hutchison, PSA has 70 terminals in 45 countries, including its two flagship ports in Singapore and Belgium, according to its website.

[ombugge]

Trump’s 100% Tariff Proposal on Chinese Cranes Could Leave U.S. Ports with...

The US Trade Representative is proposing duties of up to 100% on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes, containers and other parts. Because no company currently makes such cranes in the US, it would take at least a decade to build up the industry, said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

It’s the latest example of how tariff policies threaten to upend a niche business that will leave customers in the US — already facing limited options — with even fewer choices. And because the proposal would impact the nation’s ports, it poses a broader risk to global supply chains, adding costs for marine terminal operators that may be passed along to cargo owners and ultimately to consumers.

The American Association of Port Authorities said in a statement last week that it opposes the latest proposed taxes, and will instead support the creation of a production tax credit for US-made cargo-handling equipment.

[ombugge]

Iran port blast death toll rises to 40 - Splash247

“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” he told Iran’s ILNA news agency.

British maritime security consultants Ambrey said it believed the affected containers had contained solid fuel destined for ballistic missiles.
“The fire was the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles”, Ambrey said, adding that it was aware that an Iran-flagged ship “discharged a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel at the port in March 2025”.

[ombugge]

Mexico expands its largest port as it bets on global trade despite Trump's...

The multibillion-dollar port expansion is one of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s major infrastructure projects. The investment is part of Mexico’s efforts to defy an economic downturn as Trump’s trade wars have created widespread financial uncertainty.
“We don’t see any real impact (of the US tariffs), and we don’t foresee a significant impact,” she said.

[ombugge]

Wallenius Wilhelmsen closes sale of Melbourne car terminal - Splash247

The first phase of MIRRAT launched in April 2016, after Wallenius Wilhelmsen won the bid to design, construct, and operate the terminal in 2014.
The operator of around 125 vessels and now seven marine terminals struck a deal to sell MIRRAT last May and said it would continue to utilise the terminal for its services.

[ombugge]

CMA CGM signs Syrian port deal - Splash247

[ombugge]

DP World to spend $760m expanding Caucedo port in the Dominican Republic -...

DP World said the Dominican Republic offers a compelling environment for manufacturers and logistics providers by offering competitive costs, robust tax incentives, and proximity to US markets and duty-free access.

PS> Feeder service opportunity?

[Chief_Seadog]

There was already an intermodel port near Santo Domingo. Back in my SeaLand days on the Puerto Rican service (mid to late 80’s) we stopped at Rio Haina before heading back to the States.

[ombugge]

Malaysia’s ports stand to gain as global trade routes shift

PTP is internationally recognised for its operational efficiency. It serves major global shipping lines including Maersk, Sealand, CMA CGM, MSC and Evergreen Marine
(pics: MEDIA MULIA)

MALAYSIA’S ports are emerging as strong contenders for regional leadership amid unprecedented disruption to global trade flows — from geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties to supply chain reconfigurations and climate-related challenges.

Strategically located along the Straits of Malacca and supported by continuous infrastructure upgrades, ports like Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) are increasingly seen as resilient and efficient alternatives to regional peers.

Experts say the current global volatility presents a clear opportunity for Malaysia to transition from a transit point to a critical hub in international logistics.
https://themalaysianreserve.com/2025/05/19/malaysias-ports-stand-to-gain-as-global-trade-routes-shift/

[ombugge]

GLOBAL: DP World looking to invest $2.5 billion in global infrastructure in 2025

DP World has announced that it is set to invest $2.5 billion this year to expand its global logistics network, with infrastructure projects rolling out across India, Africa, South America and Europe.
In Europe, DP World is investing $1 billion to build two new shipping berths and a second rail terminal at the UK’s London Gateway logistics hub.

Commenting on the investment plans, DP World’s Chairman and Group CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: ‘Global trade is evolving fast, and we are investing boldly to shape its future. Despite short-term uncertainty, this $2.5 billion commitment reflects our confidence in long-term trade growth and our determination to build the infrastructure needed to keep the world connected.

[spowiednick]

Maritime Analytica

Out of 20 7 is in China. Some consider it as the greatest threats of all.

[ombugge]

New Orleans miffed MSC dropped it from rotation

‘The volumes are down because of the tariffs and that’s certainly affecting our port and it turns out the company decided they didn’t need as much total, you know traffic and so they cut out New Orleans,’ said University of New Orleans economist Walter Lane.