Discussions around a possible sale of Zim are facing increasing opposition, particularly regarding the option of acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd. Worker representatives cite the strategic importance of Zim for the country’s trade and highlight the involvement of foreign investors among Hapag-Lloyd’s shareholders.

The process is further complicated by a special state share issued by the Israeli government in 2004 during the company’s privatization. Under its conditions:

- any buyer seeking to acquire more than 24% of shares must notify the Israeli authorities;

- acquiring over 35% requires formal approval from Israel;

- the company must remain registered in Israel;

- a majority of board members — including the chairperson and the CEO — must be Israeli citizens;

Zim must maintain a fleet of at least 11 vessels, with at least three of them being cargo ships, although the company currently has permission to operate a smaller fleet; any liquidation, merger or corporate restructuring requires written approval from the Israeli government, unless the special share remains active.

For reference, the major shareholders of Hapag-Lloyd include private and state-affiliated investors from Germany, Chile, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The Suez Canal is officially making waves again ?

After months of decline due to regional tensions, October marked the best month in two years for vessel transits through the canal. The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) reported a 10% rise in total tonnage between July and October, with more than 4,400 ships passing through — including 229 returning vessels last month alone.

To keep the momentum going, SCA Chairman Admiral Ossama Rabiee met with representatives from 20 major shipping companies to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. His message? “We’re open — and ready to welcome you back.” ?

Among the highlights:

- CMA CGM has begun trial voyages with 17,000+ TEU ships and plans to increase traffic through the canal.

- MSC expects a swift return of southbound vessels soon.

- Evergreen and COSCO both confirmed readiness to resume full operations once conditions stabilize.

However, as Inchcape Shipping Agency noted, high marine insurance costs remain a key obstacle delaying some carriers’ return.

Still, optimism is rising — and the Suez Canal appears ready to reclaim its role as a vital artery for global trade.

After nearly five days of disruption at Europe’s largest container port, hundreds of striking lashers in Rotterdam have agreed to temporarily suspend their strike starting Monday morning to allow wage negotiations with employers to resume. The decision follows a court hearing, where the FNV union and port company representatives agreed to meet again on Sunday to continue discussions.

The strike, which began last Wednesday, had brought container operations to a halt, with around 700 workers stopping work entirely — leading to a backlog of vessels waiting to be handled. Both sides have now agreed that port operations will resume from 07:00 on Monday through Friday. If no deal is reached by the end of the week, the strike may resume. Employers, already facing heavy operational losses, have reportedly sought legal intervention should the talks fail.

The situation in Rotterdam highlights the growing tension in Europe’s port logistics sector, where rising inflation and competition between terminal operators are fueling stronger union demands for better wages and working conditions.

For logistics companies, the disruption has already led to higher charter and demurrage costs, while shipping lines face potential schedule delays across major Northern European hubs.

FNV (Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging) — the largest trade union federation in the Netherlands, founded in 1976. It represents over 1 million workers across various industries, including manufacturing, transport, and maritime logistics.

Japanese shipping giant NYK is scaling up robotic hull cleaning across its global fleet of nearly 800 vessels through a new partnership with Neptune Robotics.

NYK has been testing Neptune’s technology for three years, reporting significant fuel savings and lower carbon emissions. Early trials show that every $1 spent on robotic cleaning generates up to $10 in fuel savings by reducing hull resistance.

As part of the new MOU, NYK is also investing in Neptune’s $52 million Series B funding round to support global expansion, R&D, and AI-driven platforms. The goal: wider access to robotic cleaning services, especially in Japan, and faster adoption across the shipping sector.

Neptune already operates in over 60 ports across China and Singapore — covering 70% of major global trade routes. Its robots can clean a full capesize bulker in just 24 hours, including specialized services that meet Australia and New Zealand’s strict standards.

NYK says the collaboration will not only decarbonize its own fleet but also set an example for the broader maritime industry.

ChinaState Shipbuilding Corp. Limited (CSSC) has officially become the world’slargest shipbuilding company after completing its merger with ChinaShipbuilding Industry Company Limited (CSIC). The deal was finalized throughthe issuance of 3.05 billion new shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.Orig

inallyone company, CSSC and CSIC were split in 1999 by government decision to boostcompetition in the sector. Now, China is moving towards consolidation ofstate-owned enterprises to strengthen global competitiveness and efficiency.