Hapag-Lloyd Moves to Acquire Israeli Shipping Giant Zim in Major $4 Billion Deal

German logistics giant Hapag-Lloyd is progressing with a significant acquisition of Israeli container shipping company Zim, a move that could reshape the global shipping landscape. As announced by Hapag-Lloyd's CEO, Jansen, the company is navigating through several necessary approvals for the transaction, including a crucial one from the Israeli government. Jansen expressed optimism that the deal could be finalized by the end of 2026.

Headquartered in Haifa, Zim operates a sizable fleet of 147 container ships, positioning it as the tenth largest container shipping company worldwide. In comparison, Hapag-Lloyd currently holds the fifth rank globally in container shipping. The strategic acquisition aims to expand Hapag-Lloyd’s market influence and operational capacity in a competitive industry.

This transaction, valued at more than four billion U.S. dollars, highlights Hapag-Lloyd’s ambitious growth strategy amid increasing global trade demands. Completion of the deal requires further regulatory green lights, but company executives remain confident about its timely closure.

This development was reported by Deutschlandfunk on February 16, 2026, underscoring its significance for Germany’s logistics and maritime sectors at a time when consolidation among shipping firms is prominent.