Overview

• Late July exclusivity lapse prompted CK Hutchison to negotiate adding Cosco as a major strategic investor in the BlackRock-MSC consortium.
• Beijing’s national-security and antitrust scrutiny has stalled approval and driven the need for a Chinese partner to address regulatory concerns.
• Panama’s comptroller general has referred port arrangements to the Supreme Court, introducing a legal hurdle that could further defer closing.
• CK Hutchison posted an 11% rise in first-half underlying profit to HK$11.3 billion, while net profit plunged 92% on non-cash merger-related losses.
• Frank Sixt said the delay is manageable and the group will allow as much time as needed to secure sign-off across all key jurisdictions.