Hapag-Lloyd completes SAAM terminal business acquisition

The transfer of assets from SAAM to Hapag-Lloyd was signed at a ceremony in Santiago, Chile completing the deal announced in October 2022.

“We are very pleased about the successful completion of this transaction, which significantly increases our footprint in Latin America and underlines our commitment to the Latin American markets. Looking ahead, we will focus on further developing the business and on continuing to offer the best quality to all SAAM Terminals’ customers,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.

The transaction includes interests in terminals in Iquique, Antofagasta, San Antonio, San Vicente, and Corral (Chile), Port Everglades (United States / Florida), Mazatlán (Mexico), Buenavista (Colombia), Guayaquil (Ecuador) and Caldera (Costa Rica) as well as related logistics services.

The acquisition will further strengthen Hapag-Lloyd’s core liner shipping business and help the carrier to build up a robust and attractive terminal portfolio.

The new entity will be led by its CEO, Mauricio Carrasco, who has been Managing Director for the Terminals Division within the SAAM Group since 2020. Rodolfo Díaz, former Senior Director Business Administration Region Latin America at Hapag-Lloyd, will join him as CFO.

“SAAM is beginning a new stage focused on two business areas where we see growth opportunities. We will strengthen our towage business to grow in new markets and become a world leader. We also want to expand Aerosan’s regional presence,” said Macario Valdés, Chief Executive Officer of SAAM.

SAAM leads the towage industry in the Americas, with over 210 vessels operating at more than 90 ports in 13 countries. Aerosan provides air logistics services at eight airports in Chile, Colombia and Ecuador and has also expanded operations in Latin America through an acquisition plan.

Hapag-Lloyd involvement in the terminal sector includes stakes in the Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven, the Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg, the Italy-based Spinelli Group, the India-based J M Baxi Ports & Logistics Limited, Terminal TC3 in Tangier, and Terminal 2 in Damietta, Egypt, which is currently under construction.

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