China told Maersk and MSC to drop Panama port operations, FT reports

April 15 (Reuters) – China has told Danish shipping group Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), opens new tab and Switzerland-based Mediterranean ​Shipping Company (MSC Shipping) to cease operating ports ‌on the Panama Canal, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

In a meeting with China’s state planner last month, ​Maersk and MSC Shipping were told to ​withdraw from the Balboa and Cristóbal ports ⁠immediately, the report said, citing two people ​familiar with the talks.

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Reuters could not immediately confirm ​the report. Maersk, MSC Shipping, China’s foreign ministry and state planner did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for ​comment.

Maersk and MSC were told not to “engage ​in illegal activities that harm the interests of Chinese companies, ‌and ⁠to uphold commercial ethics and international rules,” the report said.

Panama has granted temporary 18-month concessions to keep the terminals operating, with APM Terminals, a unit ​of Maersk, ​managing Balboa ⁠and TIL Panama, a unit of MSC, handling Cristobal.

CK Hutchison (0001.HK), opens new tab has faced heavy ​criticism from China since unveiling a ​plan ⁠in March 2025 to sell 43 ports in 23 countries, including the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, ⁠to ​a group led by BlackRock (BLK.N), opens new tab ​and Italian Gianluigi Aponte’s family-run shipping firm MSC.

source :reuters