Finance
China Told Maersk and Msc to Drop Panama Port Operations, Ft Reports
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 15, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 15, 2026
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China has demanded that Maersk and MSC cease operations at Panama’s Balboa and Cristóbal terminals—previously managed by CK Hutchison—citing protection of Chinese companies and international norms. Panama has granted temporary 18-month licenses to APM Terminals (Maersk) and TIL (MSC) to ensure conti
China Tells Maersk and MSC to Cease Panama Canal Port Operations Immediately
China's Directive to Shipping Giants and Implications for Panama Canal Operations
April 15 (Reuters) - China has told Danish shipping group Maersk and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Shipping) to cease operating ports on the Panama Canal, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
Details of the Meeting and Immediate Withdrawal Request
In a meeting with China's state planner last month, Maersk and MSC Shipping were told to withdraw from the Balboa and Cristóbal ports immediately, the report said, citing two people familiar with the talks.
Unconfirmed Reports and Lack of Official Response
Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Maersk, MSC Shipping, China's foreign ministry and state planner did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Allegations of Illegal Activities and Commercial Ethics
Maersk and MSC were told not to "engage in illegal activities that harm the interests of Chinese companies, and to uphold commercial ethics and international rules," the report said.
Operational Status and Temporary Concessions
Panama has granted temporary 18-month concessions to keep the terminals operating, with APM Terminals, a unit of Maersk, managing Balboa and TIL Panama, a unit of MSC, handling Cristobal.
CK Hutchison's Port Sale and Chinese Criticism
CK Hutchison has faced heavy criticism from China since unveiling a plan in March 2025 to sell 43 ports in 23 countries, including the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, to a group led by BlackRock and Italian Gianluigi Aponte's family-run shipping firm MSC.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Subhranshu Sahu)
Key Takeaways
- •China intervened, urging Maersk and MSC to withdraw from Panama Canal port operations to safeguard Chinese commercial interests (apnews.com)
- •Panama’s Supreme Court voided CK Hutchison’s concession as unconstitutional, prompting temporary reassignments to Maersk and MSC under 18‑month concessions (apnews.com)
- •The broader context includes a highly politicized $22.8 billion sale of Hutchison’s global port assets to a consortium led by BlackRock and MSC, drawing sharp Chinese backlash and geopolitical scrutiny (ainvest.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about China told Maersk and MSC to drop Panama port operations, FT reports
1Why did China ask Maersk and MSC to cease operations at Panama Canal ports?
China asked Maersk and MSC to stop operations at Panama Canal ports to avoid illegal activities and to protect the interests of Chinese companies, according to the Financial Times.
2Which ports are affected by China's order to Maersk and MSC?
The Balboa and Cristóbal ports on the Panama Canal are affected by China’s directive to Maersk and MSC.
3How long can Maersk and MSC continue operations at Panama ports?
Panama has given temporary 18-month concessions to keep the terminals operating under Maersk's and MSC’s respective units.
4Has China responded to requests for comment about the Maersk and MSC port operations?
China’s foreign ministry and state planner did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the article.
5Who is involved in the planned sale of Balboa and Cristóbal ports?
The ports are included in a planned sale by CK Hutchison to a group led by BlackRock and MSC’s Gianluigi Aponte family.
