On February 16, 2026, German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd officially confirmed a definitive agreement to acquire Zim Integrated Shipping Services in an all-cash deal valued at approximately US$4.2 billion.
The deal is a landmark consolidation in the container shipping industry, designed to navigate the geopolitical complexities of the Middle East while aggressively expanding Hapag-Lloyd’s footprint in the Transpacific and Asian trade lanes.
This merger solidifies Hapag-Lloyd’s position as the world’s 5th largest container line, with a combined capacity exceeding 3 million TEU and a fleet of over 400 vessels
