Why ports and terminals are popular takeover targets worldwide “Now it is important that the noble goals do not just remain on paper”

In recent years, ports and their transshipment terminals have become sought-after acquisition targets for investors around the world.

“Purchases and sales in the field of port infrastructure have increased significantly since 2015,” notes accounting and consultancy firm PwC in a study of the transport and logistics sector.

“Transaction volume has since increased to a total of approximately $100 billion.” The value of deals announced in 2023 – as in the entire sector – fell sharply to $4.2 billion, after $15.3 and $11.7 billion in the two previous years. “With a total of sixteen deals, takeover activity in this area was still relatively high.”

Africa is becoming more important

The analysts at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) note that the target regions are shifting: “Between 2015 and 2023, two-thirds of the 184 announced port infrastructure deals were focused on ports in Asia and Oceania,” says the current “Barometer Transport & Logistics ” from PwC. In the study, the consultancy calls ports ‘the hidden gems of a globalized supply chain’.

Investments by foreign investors in ports and terminals in Africa are currently becoming increasingly important. “There is a real competitive battle going on here at the moment.” As China promotes the development of the “New Silk Road” and strategic investments in Africa, the EU is also investing in African infrastructure to remain competitive.

The route to Europe could become less important

“The routes and trade focus are shifting. Asia and Africa are becoming increasingly relevant. The route to Europe could become less important,” says André Wortmann, maritime industry expert at PwC. “In the battle for crucial infrastructure, the EU must be wide awake: harmony in the global maritime system is crumbling because key players sometimes pursue very different interests.”

According to PwC, destinations in Europe also remain very attractive, as evidenced by the entry of the global shipping company MSC into the Hamburg port operator HHLA. The world’s largest container shipping company MSC and the city of Hamburg as majority shareholder will operate Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) as a joint venture in the future. A minority stake by Chinese state shipping company Cosco in one HHLA terminal in Europe’s third largest seaport previously caused a stir in Hamburg. (sda/dpa)