Posted on March 4, 2026
March 3 (Reuters) – A BlackRock-backed consortium is pushing to complete its acquisition of CK Hutchison’s (0001.HK) global ports business without two terminals in Panama, after authorities seized the assets, Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Swiss-Italian shipping firm Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and the U.S.-listed asset manager are said to be in talks with CK Hutchison to buy about 41 ports across Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the report added, citing people familiar with the negotiations.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. BlackRock, MSC and CK Hutchison did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
In January, Panama’s top court ruled the concession for Hutchison’s Panama Canal terminals as unconstitutional, prompting authorities to take control of the assets last month.
Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company unit has since launched an international arbitration proceeding against the Central American country.
