April 15 (Reuters) - China has told Danish shipping group Maersk and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Shipping) to cease operating ports on the Panama Canal, the Financial Times
China Tells Maersk and MSC to Cease Panama Canal Port Operations Immediately
China's Directive to Shipping Giants and Implications for Panama Canal Operations
April 15 (Reuters) - China has told Danish shipping group Maersk and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Shipping) to cease operating ports on the Panama Canal, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Details of the Meeting and Immediate Withdrawal Request
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.
Unconfirmed Reports and Lack of Official Response
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.
Allegations of Illegal Activities and Commercial Ethics
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.
Operational Status and Temporary Concessions
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's Port Sale and Chinese Criticism
CK Hutchison 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 and Italian Gianluigi Aponte's family-run shipping firm MSC.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Subhranshu Sahu)
