According to local source Calcalist, there is a growing list of ministries who are opposed to the agreed takeover of ZIM by Hapag-Lloyd. Given the list of potential problems highlighted when the deal was originally announced (see DL 08/26), this is not a surprise.
Concerns surrounding the agreed Hapag-Lloyd takeover of ZIM include: the spinoff of a ‘rump’ ZIM of just sixteen ships, the impact upon national strategic resilience, and Middle East countries with whom Israel has no diplomatic relations having a shareholding interest, via Hapag-Lloyd, in the deal. Over the past few weeks, reservations if not opposition has reportedly been voiced by Israel’s Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation and the Shipping and Ports Authority. They come on top of early concern expressed by the Government Companies Authority (DL 09/26). Furthermore, Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, also has an official say.
Source: DynaLiners 23/26 – 05 June 2026
