The Panama Canal is now American again. It became official last night when the most important container terminals in the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located on each side of the waterway, formally changed hands.
MSC (through Terminal Investment Limited), in partnership with BlackRock and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire HPH’s % stake in Panama Ports Company (which operates the two Central American terminals) and 80% of CK Hutchison, which owns, operates and develops 43 terminals with 199 quays in 23 countries.
The deal, worth $17.5 billion, will have to be submitted for approval by the Panamanian government.
Translation by Giles Foster
