According to www.seatrade-maritime.com, Hapag-Lloyd has raised its 2026 group EBIT forecast to $1.25bn–$1.75bn from a prior range of $0.1bn–$1.1bn, citing strong market demand and the “ongoing positive development of freight rates.” The company also increased its EBITDA outlook to $3.9bn–$4.4bn, up from $2.7bn–$3.7bn.
Revised Zim acquisition proposal under review
Hapag-Lloyd’s revised bid for Israeli container line Zim—delivered in person by CEO Rolf Habben Jansen during a visit to Israel last week—is now facing formal objections from multiple Israeli stakeholders, including Israeli politicians, the Finance Ministry, and the union representing Zim’s workers. Eight Israeli government bodies are scheduled to submit their evaluations of the deal this month ahead of a final cabinet decision. Israel holds a golden share in Zim, granting it specific authority to safeguard national security and strategic shipping interests.
The revised proposal would transfer the golden share to Zim Israel, a carrier owned and controlled by Israeli private equity firm FIMI. Under the new terms, the threshold for foreign shareholder approval would be lowered from 24% to 10%, tightening control over ownership stakes. This adjustment directly addresses concerns about foreign influence, particularly given the large holdings in Hapag-Lloyd by the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Habben Jansen emphasized that the agreement strengthens Israel’s maritime autonomy. He stated:
“By adding a route to Asia, investing in Israeli maritime personnel, keeping Israel’s shipping expertise in the country, and providing ZIM Israel with a new modern fleet, we are enhancing Israel’s shipping capabilities very significantly.” — Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd
National security safeguards and cargo protection
The proposed transaction includes explicit provisions to prevent foreign interference in the transportation of sensitive Israeli cargo—a key point distinguishing it from the current arrangement. According to Habben Jansen, this represents “a significant improvement over the current arrangement.” He further positioned the deal as reinforcing bilateral ties, saying:
“We believe this transaction would mark another important milestone in the close relationship between Germany and Israel.” — Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd
The timeline for resolution remains tied to the Israeli cabinet’s upcoming decision, following submissions due this month from eight government entities. The original article was published on September 29, 2026, by Gary Howard, Middle East correspondent for Seatrade Maritime News.
Source: Seatrade Maritime
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
