\u201cNew Zim will integrate significant transatlantic capabilities, alongside
additional shipping routes to Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea, supported by advanced global maritime transport capabilities,\u201d Davidi added.<\/p>\n
\t Hapag-Lloyd said it entered into a binding memorandum of understanding with FIMI, under which the special state share, also known as a \u201cgolden share,\u201d held by the Israeli government in Zim, will be transferred to a FIMI subsidiary.<\/p>\n However, the government, which views Zim as a strategic national asset, must still give its approval. In protest to the takeover, Zim\u2019s workers\u2019 union on Sunday launched a strike action<\/a> and suspended all activities at the company\u2019s headquarters in Haifa.<\/p>\n As Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked ships in the Red Sea during the Gaza war, in what they said was a show of solidarity with Palestinians, the world\u2019s largest container freight companies temporarily suspended sending their vessels through the Red Sea and halted some of their services to Israel.<\/p>\n To ensure maritime traffic continues even in times of war, the Israeli government holds a \u201cgolden share\u201d in Zim, giving it special rights to require Zim to maintain a presence in Israel, including a certain number of vessels that must remain Israeli-owned.<\/p>\n Founded in Israel in 1945, Zim is a global container liner shipping company with operations in over 90 countries, serving more than 33,000 customers across 300 ports worldwide, with major trade routes including the Pacific, Latin America, the Atlantic, Cross-Suez, and Intra-Asia. The New York Stock Exchange-traded company has a market value of $2.7 billion and employs 1,000 people, including 160 at its headquarters in Haifa.<\/p>\n As part of the merger agreement, Hapag-Lloyd has committed to provide support to Israel-incorporated New Zim, and retain Zim\u2019s employees.<\/p>\n \u201cZim is an excellent partner for Hapag-Lloyd,\u201d said Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen. \u201cWe will use this opportunity to create the best team from the exceptional talent in Zim and Hapag-Lloyd \u2013 in Israel and around the globe \u2013 and we commit ourselves to build a very substantial and long-term presence in Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n \t Hapag-Lloyd said the merger with Zim would secure its market position The merger deal is expected to close by late 2026, subject to approval by Zim shareholders and other approvals, including regulatory authorities and the State of Israel.<\/p>\n
If so, we have a request.\u00a0<\/p>\n Every day during the past two years of war and rising global anti-Zionism and antisemitism, our journalists kept you abreast of the most important developments that merit your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fact-based coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.\u00a0<\/p>\n We care about Israel – and we know you do too. So we have an ask for this new year of 2026: express your values by joining The Times of Israel Community, an exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and financially support our work.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t
\t\t\t
\t\t\tAlready a member? Sign in to stop seeing this<\/a><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t You clearly find our careful reporting valuable, in a time when facts are often distorted and news coverage often lacks context.<\/p>\n Your support is essential to continue our work. We want to continue delivering the professional journalism you value, even as the demands on our newsroom have grown dramatically since October 7.<\/p>\n So today, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you’ll become our partners while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing\u00a0exclusive content\u00a0available only to Times of Israel Community members.<\/p>\n Thank you, \t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP23090641413910-e1703860448229-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tIllustrative: The Hapag-Lloyd container ship \u2018Chacabuco\u2019 from Monrovia is docked in Hamburg, Germany, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo\/Matthias Schrader)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AFP__20240227__34K7743__v1__HighRes__YemenConflictShippingAccident-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tIllustrative: A handout picture provided by the Yemeni Al-Joumhouriya TV on February 26, 2024, shows the Rubymar cargo ship sinking off the coast of Yemen, a week after being targeted in a Houthi attack. (Al-Joumhouriya TV\/AFP)<\/p>\n
as the fifth-largest container shipping company worldwide with a modern fleet of over 400 vessels. Among Hapag-Lloyd\u2019s shareholders are Qatar Holding, a subsidiary of Qatar\u2019s sovereign wealth fund, which owns a 12.3% stake, and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, which has a 10.2% stake.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tIs accurate Israel coverage important to you?\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tI’m with you and will give\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tI’m with you and will give\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYou appreciate our journalism\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DH-new-headshot-circular.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tJoin Our Community\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n