Containerschifffahrt: Hapag-Lloyd setzt trotz israelischem Veto auf ZIM-Übernahme

Hapag-Lloyd, a Hamburg-based container shipping company, remains committed to acquiring ZIM, Israel's tenth-largest container shipping line, despite opposition from the Israeli government. The company's CEO, Rolf Habben Jansen, stated that the proposed acquisition would improve upon many aspects of the current situation and benefit both Hapag-Lloyd and the Israeli state. Recent discussions with Israeli authorities have become more intense over the past one to one and a half months, according to Jansen.

Hapag-Lloyd, which operates over 300 ships and handles a total capacity of 2.5 million standard containers (TEU), plans to purchase all of ZIM's shares for approximately €3.6 billion. This acquisition would expand Hapag-Lloyd's fleet to over 400 ships and increase its capacity to more than 3 million TEU. The Israeli government has vetoed the deal primarily due to the ownership of two Saudi Arabian and Qatari state funds, which collectively hold 10.2 and 12.1 percent of Hapag-Lloyd's shares.

Jansen acknowledged the concerns raised by these state funds, emphasizing that their ownership does not directly influence day-to-day operations. He highlighted that Hapag-Lloyd's vessels had been operating in Israel for the past three years and that the company's Arab investors have consistently supported its development. Jansen believes that the Israeli authorities can be convinced of the merits of the proposed acquisition through ongoing dialogue and addressing their concerns. He remains convinced that their approach is beneficial and can persuade the Israeli authorities.