M SC snaps up 50% stake in Italo: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has acquired a c.50% stake in Italian passenger rail operator Italo Treno-NTV, which is owned by US-based Global Infrastructure Partners, according to a statement. “We strongly believe in the potential of Italo to further strengthen rail connectivity across Italy but also the Italian tourism market,” said Group President of MSC Diego Aponte.

Potentially one of several acquisitions this year? MSC has also launched a EUR 1.3 bid for Hamburg port operator. 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.

Drought conditions see Panama Canal Authority (ACP) cut vessel passage quotas again: Daily crossing at the Panama Canal will be trimmed from 32 vessels to 31 effective 1 November, according to a recent ACP advisory to shipping (pdf). The reductions are meant to accommodate reduced transit capacity due to an ongoing water shortage that is expected to last into next year, ACP authorities said.

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