CK Hutchison vows to pursue ‘all legal remedies’ over seized Panama ports

2026.03.19 14:20 Cristobal port was seized by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: AFP Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison has said it will pursue “all available legal remedies” through both national and international proceedings to resolve a dispute over its two Panama Canal ports which were seized by authorities in February. Amid the widening conflict in the Middle East which could further complicate its multibillion-dollar global ports sale, the ports-to-telecoms group downplayed the possible impact of a Strait of Hormuz blockade on its business, saying its diversified network could even benefit from higher storage revenue, as shipping diversions boosted inventory demand. At a results briefing on Thursday, CK Hutchison’s management was asked to provide an update on the proposed sale of more than 40 ports worldwide to a consortium led by BlackRock and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Group co-managing director Frank John Sixt said both the conglomerate and its subsidiary Panama Ports Company (PPC) continued to “work vigorously” with their legal advisers and would “provide updates when that is appropriate”. “We are pursuing all available legal remedies through both national and international proceedings,” he said. “We are in discussions with the original consortium members as well as a significant financial investor and a major strategic investor from China.” The group reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the dispute in a way that was fair and protected the interests of shareholders. Caught in the cross-currents of Sino-US tensions, CK Hutchison is navigating a delayed US$23 billion deal to sell 43 global port assets – including the strategic Panama Canal container terminals at Balboa and Cristobal – to a BlackRock-led consortium. Initially announced in early 2025, the sale has faced regulatory roadblocks from Beijing and a subsequent annulment of port concession contracts granted by the Panama government. Reports suggest that regulators in mainland Ch

原文链接: 南华早报