by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
The latest terminal investments by Swiss-based liner MSC have placed it at "the top of the container terminal operators table," writes market intelligence firm Linerlytica.
MSC's acquisition of Hutchison Ports' terminal assets outside China, announced on 4 March 2025, will expand its global footprint with new hubs in Rotterdam, Felixstowe, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Lazaro Cardenas, Balboa, and Cristobal.
These additions will complement MSC's existing terminals in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.
The acquisition includes 39 terminals in 21 countries, with consolidated container handling volumes of 51 million TEU in 2024.
At a total enterprise value of €22.765 billion, TIL, the terminal operating arm of MSC, and consortium partners BlackRock and Global Infrastructure Partners agreed to buy 80% of Hutchison's port rights.
The agreement also covers Hutchison Ports' 90% ownership of the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal.
According to Linerlytica, this transaction is the largest-ever port asset deal.
In addition to this new investment, MSC has a 49.9% stake in HHLA, a key operator at the Port of Hamburg.
The intelligence firm estimates that the combined equity-adjusted throughput of TIL/MSC terminals with the new HHLA and Hutchison terminals will exceed 70m TEU.
Reshaping market share
The acquisition reshuffles the global top five in terms of containers handled. With the new agreement, MSC will surpass PSA International, which previously held the top position.
Danish media ShippingWatch reports that MSC's combined port and terminal activities, including the acquired Hutchison assets, will account for 8.6% of the global market, overtaking PSA International's 7.2% market share in 2023.
London-based maritime consultancy firm Drewry projects that MSC's ports and terminals assets could handle around 220 million containers by 2028, corresponding to a 15% market share.
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