CK Hutchison's Panama unit files arbitration against Maersk over ports takeover

AP Moeller - Maersk A/S

08/04/2026 24:27

PANAMA CITY, April 7 (Reuters) - Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's 0001.HK' Panama unit, PPC, is filing an arbitration against Maersk MAERSKb.CO after the takeover of two strategic ports near the Panama Canal which are at the center of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington.

In a statement, Panama Ports Company (PPC) said Maersk broke a long-term contract by siding with the Panamanian government to help remove PPC from its operations at the Balboa port and replace it with a Maersk-affiliated operator.

"Contrary to the contract, Maersk undermined the agreement and aligned itself with the Republic of Panama in connection with its state-led campaign against PPC and a scheme to replace it through a takeover that installed new port operators," PPC said in a statement.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)

((sarah.morland@thomsonreuters.com;))