Zim Integrated Shipping Services has confirmed media reports Hapag-Lloyd is interested in acquiring the Israeli flag carrier.
But Zim employees are urging Israel’s government to block any deal over national security concerns because Saudi and Qatari investors hold a significant share in the German shipping company.
Zim (NYSE: ZIM) is the world’s tenth-largest liner and a merger with fifth-ranked Hapag-Lloyd (HLAG.DE) would give the combined entity close to a 10% share of the global container market, according to Alphaliner. Only Mediterranean Shipping Co. of Switzerland (21.3%), Denmark’s Maersk (13.9%), CMA CGM of France (12.3%) and China’s Cosco (10.7%) claim double-digit market shares.
Reports also named MSC and Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO) as having interest in Zim.
Zim’s board in a statement confirmed a review with “several entities” of a possible sale but offered no details.
The Israeli government, which owns a golden share in Zim, is being urged by Zim employees to block a sale over security concerns, the Globes newspaper of Tel Aviv reported. They cite Qatar and Saudi investment as shareholders of near 23% of the German carrier.
Zim and Hapag-Lloyd did not immediately respond to messages from FreightWaves.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Port of Mobile launches $100M Pier B South overhaul
New gains for container rates as key ocean routes improve
Hacegaba tabbed as new CEO at Port of Long Beach
Suez container ships near low for all of 2025
The post Israel urged to block Hapag-Lloyd offer for Zim: Report appeared first on FreightWaves.
