Maersk secures strategic position with Panama railway acquisition

Danish maritime giant Maersk announced on Wednesday the acquisition of the railway operator along the Panama Canal. The investment, according to industry experts, may safeguard Denmark's interests in light of the U.S. administration's intentions to take greater control over the canal.

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03 april 2025   |   11:55   |   Source: PAP / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Maersk

fot. Maersk

As stated in the official release, APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Maersk Group, has acquired Panama Railway Company from its previous owner, the Canada-U.S. company CPKC. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The deal covers a 76-kilometer single-track railway that connects ports on both sides of the canal, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This infrastructure serves as an alternative to the canal itself, enabling land-based cargo transport, although it requires transshipment.

The strategic acquisition follows statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for increased American control over the Panama Canal, citing growing Chinese influence in the region.

Danish newspaper Berlingske notes that Maersk's move may provoke a reaction from Trump, as the canal could become even less aligned with U.S. interests. Relations between Denmark and the United States have already been strained following Trump's controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland from Denmark.

Maersk, officially A.P. Moller-Maersk, is the world's largest container shipping and logistics company, operating in 130 countries with a fleet of 700 container ships and 65 port terminals. The company's headquarters are in Copenhagen.

Kamil Kusier
redaktor naczelny

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