Hapag-Lloyd’s ZIM deal faces growing resistance
Opposition is mounting against Hapag-Lloyd’s $4.2bn takeover offer for ZIM. The proposed acquisition of Israel’s ZIM by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd now faces union resistance and political scrutiny, reports The Maritime Telegraph.
The structure would carve out 16 vessels into a separate “New ZIM,” to be managed by Israeli private equity firm FIMI. While Hapag-Lloyd pledged temporary job protection, ZIM’s workers reduced port activity and barred chairman Yair Seroussi from key facilities, escalating tensions.
The issue has reached the Knesset, where lawmakers questioned whether a downsized New ZIM could maintain its wartime logistics role. ZIM’s golden share (requiring local presence and at least 11 Israeli-owned vessels) would transfer to FIMI under the proposal, prompting a regulatory review of compliance and national readiness.
Additional scrutiny followed reports that Qatar Holding and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund hold major stakes in Hapag-Lloyd.
Hapag-Lloyd aims to complete the deal by year-end. The combined group would control over 400 vessels, surpass 3m TEU capacity, and project volumes above 18m TEU by 2027.
