Hapag-Lloyd outlines revised ZIM proposal amid ongoing negotiations
Hapag-Lloyd has provided further details of its revised proposal involving Israeli container shipping company ZIM, outlining additional commitments intended to address concerns raised by Israeli authorities as negotiations over the proposed transaction continue.
In statements updated on 12 October 2026, Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said the revised structure, developed alongside Israeli investment group FIMI, would strengthen Israel’s maritime capabilities through additional shipping services, fleet investment and support for domestic maritime expertise.
The comments follow concerns raised by Israeli authorities over the original proposal. According to Habben Jansen, the revised terms have been developed in response to those concerns, although discussions remain ongoing.
Revised proposal includes additional maritime commitments
The updated proposal includes the introduction of an additional shipping route connecting Israel with Asia, investment in Israeli maritime personnel and measures intended to retain shipping expertise within the country.
Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI are also proposing to provide ZIM Israel with a new, modern fleet as part of the revised structure.
Habben Jansen said the changes were designed to provide Israel with greater maritime independence while addressing national security considerations associated with the proposed transaction.
He also argued that positions previously expressed by Israel’s Ministry of Finance and Government Companies Authority were based on the original proposal rather than the revised arrangements.
According to the CEO, the companies are continuing to develop the details of the updated structure, which will be submitted and explained to the relevant Israeli authorities over the coming weeks.
Hapag-Lloyd remains confident that the changes will address the authorities’ concerns, but no regulatory approval has been announced.
Hapag-Lloyd highlights strategic benefits of ZIM combination
Habben Jansen reiterated the commercial rationale for pursuing the transaction, citing ZIM’s operational scale and similarities with Hapag-Lloyd.
He said the combination could generate annual savings of up to €500 million, while acknowledging that negotiations remain complex and detailed.
According to Hapag-Lloyd, the proposed combination would strengthen its position as the world’s fifth-largest container shipping company, with a fleet exceeding 400 vessels, total capacity of more than 3 million TEU and annual transport volumes above 18 million TEU.
The CEO also described the transaction as a potential step towards the industry’s four largest container shipping operators.
The proposed acquisition remains subject to ongoing negotiations and the necessary approvals. Hapag-Lloyd has not announced a definitive timetable for completing the transaction.
