Analysis
Why Europe’s ports are quietly changing hands
Investment funds, shipping giants and foreign states are buying stakes in the terminals that handle most of Europe’s trade.
World affairs reporter
10 min read
Container terminals are among the most sought-after infrastructure assets in Europe.
In the past five years, more than half of Europe’s largest container terminals have had a change in ownership. Most of these deals barely made the news.
Together, they amount to one of the biggest shifts in control over European infrastructure since the privatisations of the 1990s.
Who is buying
The buyers fall into three groups: shipping lines seeking control over their supply chains, pension and infrastructure funds seeking stable returns, and state-linked companies from outside the EU.
“A terminal is a toll booth on global trade. Everybody wants one,” said a port economist.
Security questions
The EU has tightened its screening of foreign investment, but ports remain a grey area. Critics argue that control over logistics data, not just physical assets, should be subject to review.
Topics
Amara Diallo
World affairs reporter
Amara reports on trade, borders and the places the world economy passes through.
