BEIJING’s transport ministry has called in executives from the world’s two largest container shipping lines in a move that industry sources say is linked to their role in the Panama port dispute.

China’s Ministry of Transport summoned representatives from Mediterranean Shipping Co and Maersk on March 9 to discuss “international shipping business conduct”, according to an official announcement.

Industry sources said the move is connected to the ongoing dispute over Hong Kong-headquartered CK Hutchison’s ports in Panama and signals that Beijing may be preparing retaliatory measures against the two carriers.

APM Terminals, owned by Maersk, and MSC’s Terminal Investment Ltd took over operations at the Balboa and Cristobal terminals respectively in late February under an 18-month temporary arrangement, after Hutchison’s Panama Ports Co said it had been forcibly removed from both sites by the Panamanian authorities.

The two companies may now face pressure or penalties from China for being seen as facilitators of Panama’s forced seizure of port assets, sources said.

The takeover followed a ruling by Panama’s Supreme Court that voided Hutchison’s longstanding concessions at the two terminals — a decision that drew strong opposition from both the company and Beijing.

Panama Ports Company said last week that it had filed for international commercial arbitration against the Panamanian government, seeking at least $2bn in damages. The company has also requested the return of documents stored at the port facilities.

Beijing has warned the Latin American nation of political and economic consequences if it does not reverse the decision.

Lloyd’s List understands that the transport ministry had previously gathered data on Panama-flagged vessels through domestic shipping organisations, although no related measures have yet been announced.

Details of Beijing’s discussions with Maersk and MSC remain unclear, but sources suggest the two companies may be treated differently.

Both carriers, as well as the Ministry of Transport, have been approached for comment.

As the world’s two largest container shipping companies, MSC and Maersk have extensive liner networks in China and deep ties to Chinese port operations. APM Terminals holds stakes in container terminals at major Chinese ports including Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao.

MSC, together with US investment giant BlackRock, is in negotiations with CK Hutchison to acquire its global port portfolio, valued at around $23bn. China’s Cosco Shipping may also join the buyer consortium.

Recent media reports suggest the parties are discussing carving out the Panama port assets from the original portfolio to allow the rest of the deal to proceed.

It remains unclear whether Beijing’s latest intervention will affect the ongoing negotiations.

Operations unlikely to be disrupted

Despite the political tensions, shipping analysts do not expect significant disruption to port operations or cargo flows.

“These two terminals are already in a stabilisation phase, so I do not expect any significant impact on port operations or the global shipping network,” said Jayendu Krishna, head of Drewry Maritime Advisors.

He noted that the allocation of the terminals to Maersk and MSC reflects their existing footprint: Balboa is a hub port for the Gemini Alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, while Cristobal is a hub for MSC.

Krishna said it would also be difficult for either company to discriminate against Chinese shipping lines or cargo, given their multinational operations and partnerships with Chinese companies elsewhere.

“If MSC’s acquisition of Hutchison is successful, it will have Cosco as its co-shareholder in two terminals at Laem Chabang. Maersk also has partnerships with many Chinese companies in different locations,” he said.

As for cargo flows to and from China, Krishna said disruption was unlikely. “It is in nobody’s interest. If it happens, retaliation may follow very quickly.”