BlackRock Targets Majority Stake in Panama Canal Ports in $23 Billion Deal

The consortium, involving BlackRock and TiL, aims to acquire 43 global ports from CK Hutchison, with Beijing expressing strong opposition over the sale of strategic assets.

• BlackRock, leading a consortium with Global Infrastructure Partners and TiL, plans to acquire 43 ports from CK Hutchison Holdings for $23 billion.
• BlackRock aims to secure a 51% controlling stake in the two Panama Canal ports, while TiL will hold a majority interest in the remaining 41 ports.
• CK Hutchison expects to receive $19 billion in cash upon the deal's completion, retaining an 80% interest in the assets pre-sale.
• Beijing has voiced strong objections to the sale of the Panama Canal ports, citing national security concerns and opposition to Western ownership of strategic infrastructure.
• Analysts suggest that dividing ownership of the ports will not alleviate China's concerns, as the deal highlights intensifying US-China geopolitical tensions.

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