Germany Moves Closer to Blocking Chinese Logistics Takeover

Germany is considering blocking a bid by Chinese container giant Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. from buying an 80% stake in Hamburg-based freight forwarder Zippel due to security concerns. The Economy Ministry plans to submit a proposal to cabinet soon, according to anonymous sources familiar with the deliberations. Any prohibition under Germany’s foreign-investment screening rules requires cabinet approval.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government is taking a harder line on competition with China as it prepares broader security measures. The coalition aims to approve the framework on Oct. 14, including tighter investment screening and stronger export controls. Handelsblatt reported that several ministries support blocking the deal, citing risks of strategic dependency in a conflict.

The ministry confirmed it is reviewing Cosco’s acquisition of Konrad Zippel under the foreign-investment regime but declined to comment on details. Germany remains committed to open engagement with China but will safeguard its interests using available legal instruments. Germany’s antitrust authority cleared the deal in February, finding no competition concerns as the firms operate at different levels of the transport chain, but stressed that security review is separate.

Cosco already owns 24.99% of HHLA’s Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg, a stake capped below 25% by the former Scholz government in 2022 due to security risks. Zippel employs about 350 people and specializes in moving containers between seaports and inland destinations, often by rail, including through Hamburg and Bremerhaven. Cosco also controls the operator of Greece’s Piraeus port.

德国正考虑阻止中国集装箱巨头中远海运 Holdings Co. 攻购汉堡籍货代泽普尔 80% 股份，因安全顾虑。经济部计划近期提交提案给内阁，据知情人士透露。根据德国外国投资审查规则，任何禁止要求都需要内阁批准。弗里德里希·默茨总理率领的政府正对与中国的竞争采取更强硬立场，因为它正准备更广泛的安全措施。联盟旨在于10月14日批准框架，其中包括更严格的投资审查和更强的出口管制。汉德尔斯布拉特报道，几个部委支持阻止交易，引用在冲突中的战略依赖风险。该部确认正根据外国投资制度审查中远对康拉德·泽普尔的收购，但拒绝就细节发表评论。德国致力于与中国保持开放合作，但将利用现有法律工具保护其利益。德国反垄断机器人