Germany Blocks Chinese Firm’s Acquisition of Logistics Firm, Despite Concerns Over Its Own Ports Being "Strangled"

Foreign media report: The German government is considering blocking COSCO Shipping's proposed acquisition of a majority stake in German logistics firm Zippel, citing concerns over national security risks.

According to the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, COSCO plans to acquire 80% of Zippel, a Hamburg-based company primarily responsible for container transport between ports and inland regions.

A internal document from Germany’s economic ministry states that the transaction could lead to strategic dependence on Chinese enterprises. In recent years, multiple European countries have intensified scrutiny of Chinese state-owned enterprises’ investments in logistics and infrastructure sectors, expressing concern over exposure of sensitive supply chain information and long-term dependency.

Previously, Germany’s antitrust authority approved the deal in February, noting that national security issues fall outside its jurisdiction. Zippel’s management has indicated that government review will focus on corporate software systems and data handling practices. COSCO already holds a minority stake in Hamburg Port’s container terminal, an investment cleared by the German government in 2023, though it sparked internal debate within the ruling coalition at the time.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877672488883212/

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