London-listed Global Ports confirms takeover approach from shipping firm MSC

A container ship of the Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) is seen next to cranes at the San Antonio port in Chile August 6, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

June 15 (Reuters) – Global Ports Holding PLC (GPH.L), the world’s largest cruise port operator, said on Wednesday it had received an approach about a potential cash offer from Swiss-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Shares of the London-listed company closed up 19% at 109 pence and marked their best day in two years after Global Ports confirmed a Bloomberg report that MSC was considering taking a controlling stake in Global Ports.

Global Ports, owned by Turkish businessman Mehmet Kutman, said the talks were ongoing and the deadline for the container group to make a firm offer or walk away is July 13.

Global Ports, which has presence in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia-Pacific regions, operates 26 cruise ports across 14 countries and also has a commercial port operation that specialises in container and general cargo handling.

Last month, Global Ports pointed to a strong rebound in cruise activity and said it expects occupancy levels to reach “historical levels” before the end of 2022 calendar year.

Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel

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