Finance
Israel's ZIM workers ramp up strike in protest over Hapag-Lloyd takeover
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Summary
ZIM workers strike for job security amid Hapag-Lloyd's $4.2 billion takeover, affecting Israeli shipping operations.
ZIM Workers Intensify Strike Amid Hapag-Lloyd Takeover Concerns
ZIM Workers Strike Details
By Steven Scheer
Union's Demands and Concerns
JERUSALEM, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Workers at ZIM Integrated Shipping Services stopped all work on Tuesday, stepping up a strike to press for job security guarantees after Germany's Hapag-Lloyd said it would buy the Israeli shipping company for $4.2 billion.
Management's Response
About 800 unionized employees of a total of 1,000 workers at ZIM began the strike on Sunday at its headquarters in Haifa following talk of a planned takeover but there was still some activity at other Israeli seaports.
Implications for Israeli Shipping
"Since this morning, we are not allowing any kind of activity," Ziva Lainer Schkolnik, a union leader at ZIM, told Reuters.
"We have stopped some vessels at the ports of Ashdod and Haifa and we will not let the company work on those ships until they talk with us and we are convinced they are considering the employees." She added that already docked ships would not be unloaded.
In a related deal to the proposed takeover, Tel Aviv-based private equity firm FIMI Opportunity Fund will acquire a business with 16 vessels carved out from ZIM that secures direct global maritime connections for Israel. This dedicated Israeli container line will be called "New ZIM".
Lainer Schkolnik said the union was told by management that "New ZIM" would only have 120 employees, meaning nearly 900 workers - many of them with contracts guaranteeing tenure - could be let go.
ZIM declined to comment.
Hapag-Lloyd said in a statement that all of ZIM’s management and staff at its headquarters "will receive job security after closing, which should be negotiated in good faith with the labour representatives".
"Israel will also longer term be a strong location for the combined business of ZIM and Hapag-Lloyd".
A Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson told Reuters that the company was willing to discuss all issues with the labour representatives.
The union also expressed concern about the long-term viability of "New ZIM", citing its relatively smaller size and that 98% of Israeli imports come through seaports in the Mediterranean Sea.
Hapag-Lloyd said there were "lots of good examples in our industry of shipping lines in comparable size, which are pretty successful and profitable".
(Reporting by Steven Scheer, additional reporting by Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Key Takeaways
- •ZIM workers strike for job security amid takeover.
- •Hapag-Lloyd plans to buy ZIM for $4.2 billion.
- •Union fears job losses with 'New ZIM' formation.
- •Hapag-Lloyd assures negotiations with labor reps.
- •Israeli shipping operations significantly impacted.
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel's ZIM workers ramp up strike in protest over Hapag-Lloyd takeover
1What is a union?
A union is an organized group of workers who come together to make decisions about the work environment, negotiate wages, and advocate for their rights.
2What is a takeover?
A takeover occurs when one company acquires control of another company, often through purchasing a majority of its shares.
3What is job security?
Job security refers to the assurance that an employee will keep their job without the risk of becoming unemployed.
4What is a private equity firm?
A private equity firm is an investment management company that provides financial backing and makes investments in private companies.
5What is a shipping company?
A shipping company is a business that provides transportation services for goods and cargo across various modes of transport, including sea, air, and land.
