Cosco Shipping may buy Hanjin Shipping’s port assets

Xu Lirong, chairman of Cosco Shipping, ruled out the purchase of Hanjin Shipping’s container vessels, even when the opportunity has arisen as creditors have moved to impound the ships.

Xu told reporters at Cosco Shipping’s rebranding ceremony held on Wednesday that the group may, however, look at the possibility of taking over Hanjin Shipping’s port assets.

Hanjin Shipping operates 12 dedicated terminals and two logistics center globally, with annual handling capacity of 10m teu. Xu did not specify which of Hanjin Shipping’s port assets would be a acquisition target for Cosco Shipping.

Zhang Yongfeng, director at the shipping research and development department of Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI), observed that Cosco Shipping is itself struggling to utilise fleet capacity amid the severe tonnage supply glut.

“The acquisition of distressed ships at possibly attractive prices is indeed a rare opportunity for Cosco Shipping, but the group has to carefully weigh the consequences of taking on more tonnage,” he told Seatrade Maritime News.

Zhang believed that it might be more beneficial for Cosco Shipping to consider snapping up those better quality vessel assets from domestic shipping lines that are struggling to survive.