Shipping: Hapag-Lloyd will Kritik aus Israel an ZIM-Übernahme entkräften
Hapag-Lloyd hatte im Februar angekündigt, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services zu übernehmen. Ein nun überarbeitete Vorschlag sichere Israels Zugang zu wichtigen Schifffahrtsrouten.
Jerusalem - In response to Israeli concerns, Hapag-Lloyd has made concessions in the planned billion-dollar acquisition of Israeli shipping company ZIM. The Hamburg-based conglomerate announced on Monday that it will collaborate with the government to secure approval for the merger. Hapag-Lloyd Chief Rolf Habben-Jansen stated that they have actively listened to the needs raised in their conversations with the Israeli government and relevant authorities.
The improved takeover proposal aims to strengthen Israel's maritime security and independence. Hapag-Lloyd announced in February that it would acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services for $4.2 billion in cash, with the intention of becoming the world's fifth-largest shipping company. The deal, which is expected to be presented to Israel's cabinet this month, faces significant opposition in the country, including from ZIM employees, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and other government representatives.
They argue that the national security would be undermined as Israel's shipping would be transferred to a foreign entity. The revised proposal ensures Israel's access to key shipping routes, including those from Asia, explained Hapag-Lloyd. A golden share is to be granted to Israel, providing it with special ownership rights in ZIM.
The threshold for selling ZIM shares to foreign investors compared to Israeli authorities is to be reduced to ten percent from 24 percent.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
