MSC to possibly acquire almost half of Hamburg port: Container shipping firm MSC has offered to buy almost half of the shares in Hamburg port’s main operator HHLA in a transaction that could be worth nearly EUR 1.3 bn, Reuters reports. The transaction between MSC and the city of Hamburg will see MSC making a cash offer of EUR 16.7 (USD 17.9) per share to acquire all listed class A stock in HHLA. If the offer is taken up, MSC would acquire a 49.9% stake in HHLA at a cost of EUR 1.26 bn, according to Reuters’ calculations. If MSC acquires the shares, the city of Hamburg, which currently owns 69% of HHLA’s A shares, will still retain its control over the port with a 50.1% stake.

Bidding war? Hapag-Lloyd is also reportedly said to have its eyes on the 49.9% HHLA stake, but has not yet commented on a potential bid, the outlet adds. If Hapag-Lloyd were to join the bidding fray, it would “certainly be an uphill battle,” analyst Marc Zeck told Reuters.

Market reax: HHLA’s shares soared by 49%, a 19-month high, after German logistics bn’aire Klaus-Michael Kuehne said that he was considering a counter offer, Reuters reports.

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