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2w ago

CK Hutchison Seeks Chinese Partner to Revive $23 Billion Ports Sale

Inviting a Chinese state-owned investor is intended to secure antitrust approval in Beijing; Panama’s sign-off remains critical

A view of the Balboa Port is pictured after Hong Kong's CK Hutchison agreed to sell its interests in a key Panama Canal port operator, Panama City, Panama, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo
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Containers are unloaded from the ship CMA CGM Everglade at Malta Freeport outside Birzebbuga, Malta, March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo

Overview

  • The consortium’s exclusive 145-day negotiation window expired on July 27 without a signed agreement
  • CK Hutchison’s July 28 stock exchange filing announced plans to invite a “major strategic investor” from China to join the buyer group
  • Bloomberg reports that state-owned China Cosco Shipping is poised to join the consortium and seek veto rights
  • The deal faces antitrust reviews by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation and awaits clearance from Panama’s government
  • The ports transaction has become a geopolitical flashpoint with President Trump lauding its original terms and Beijing criticizing the U.S.-backed consortium