馬士基以及歐特克集團的董事會今天正式批準了關于馬士基航運收購漢堡南美的買賣協議。不過，該收購仍需相關監管部門的審批。
2016年12月1日，馬士基航運宣布計劃收購德國集裝箱航運公司漢堡南美船務集團(Hamburg Süd)，2017年3月14日，馬士基航運宣布與漢堡南美的母公司歐特克集團（Oetker Group）簽訂了買賣協議。按照協議，馬士基航運將以37億歐元的價格收購漢堡南美，馬士基航運會用現金方式進行收購，相關的資金會通過銀團貸款的方式取得。
馬士基集團及馬士基航運首席執行官施索仁先生（Soren Skou）表示：“今天，馬士基和漢堡南美在未來共同發展的道路上又向前邁進了重要的一步。我們的盡職調查表明，漢堡南美是一家運營成功、在業內擁有良好聲望的公司。我們確信本次收購將實現兩家公司的協同配合，同時我們也明確，最大程度地保留漢堡南美現有客戶群體是正確的發展策略。我堅信，我們能夠一起開發全新的、擁有競爭力的服務產品，惠及我們的客戶并實現運營方面的協同配合。本次收購將鞏固馬士基航運作為集裝箱航運業最大、最領先公司的地位，這也將為兩家公司的員工提供更好的發展機會。”
本次收購符合馬士基航運的增長戰略。它意味著兩個互補的企業有機會聯合起來，以實現具有規模的運營協同配合以及商業價值。在收購完成之后的航線網絡中，兩家企業得以在相關區域實現運營上的協同配合，最初幾年每年將產生3.5至4億美元的協同效益。
漢堡南美將保留現有公司結構和獨立品牌，并有望實現較高的客戶保留率，這將進一步推動馬士基航運的增長戰略。
收購之后的航線網絡將為馬士基航運和漢堡南美的客戶帶來更好的服務，包括更多的周班航次、更短的航程時間、更多的港口靠泊、更多的直航港口掛靠，并減少不必要的中轉。
通過航線網絡的整合與優化，以及采購流程的標準化，本次收購將實現成本的降低。此外，馬士基碼頭公司的全球服務網絡將受益于即期增長的貨量，特別是在擁有大規模投資的拉美地區。
施索仁表示：“我們認為，37億歐元的收購價格真實地反映了漢堡南美的市場價值。通過保留漢堡南美作為一家獨立、運營良好的公司，我們降低了交易和整合的風險及成本，但仍舊能夠實現運營上的協同配合。漢堡南美的收購將為馬士基航運創造價值，這將在2019年逐步體現出來。”
為了保持并推動漢堡南美未來的發展，馬士基航運強調將保留漢堡南美的客戶價值定位，公司也將繼續在德國漢堡運營，馬士基航運同意租賃漢堡南美的總部辦公場所，初始租期為五年。
施索仁表示：“漢堡南美擁有知名度較高的品牌和具有吸引力的客戶價值定位。我們相信，這都將有助于本次收購取得成功。因此，漢堡南美將繼續進行自主管理，負責自身的品牌發展。”
漢堡南美船務集團執行董事會主席Ottmar Gast博士表示：“我們認為馬士基航運對漢堡南美的收購是一個水到渠成的過程，我們堅信，漢堡南美能夠在自主管理的基礎上保持良好的發展勢頭，繼續為客戶提供優質的服務，并為員工提供良好的發展，讓他們有機會通過全球領先的航運公司去塑造行業的未來。”
收購完成之后，馬士基航運和漢堡南美一共將擁有390萬標箱的集裝箱運力（收購前為330萬標箱），全球運力份額將達到18.7%（收購前為16%）。收購后運營的集裝箱船舶總數將達到743艘。馬士基航運將繼續鞏固其全球班輪公司老大的地位。
相關監管部門的審批正在按計劃進行。2017年3月23日，美國司法部通過了對本次收購計劃的審批。2017年4月10日，歐盟委員會有條件通過了本次收購計劃的審批。
馬士基航運預計將在2017年底完成本次交易。在此之前，漢堡南美和馬士基航運將繼續各自獨立經營業務。
原文如下：
On 1 December 2016,Maersk Line announced its intention to acquire Hamburg Süd,the German container shipping line,and on 14 March 2017,Maersk Line announced the signing of a sale and purchase agreement with the Oetker Group,owner of Hamburg Süd.
Today,the sale and purchase agreement for Maersk Line’s acquisition of Hamburg Süd was approved by the boards of Maersk Line and the Oetker Group.The acquisition still remains subject to regulatory approvals.
Maersk Line will acquire Hamburg Süd for EUR 3.7 billion on a cash and debt-free basis.Maersk Line will finance the acquisition through a syndicated loan facility.
“Today,we have taken a decisive step towards the shared future of Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd.Our due diligence confirmed that Hamburg Süd is a well-run company with strong and highly respected brands.We have confirmed the anticipated synergies and we are convinced that our plan to maximize customer retention is the right path forward.I have no doubt that together we can develop new competitive products to the benefit of our customers and exploit operational synergies.The acquisition is cementing our position as the largest and leading carrier in container shipping,and it will provide great opportunities for the employees of both companies,”says Søren Skou,CEO of Maersk Line and A.P.Moller–Maersk.
The acquisition is in line with the Maersk Line’s growth strategy.It represents a unique opportunity to combine two complementary businesses and realise sizable operational synergies as well as commercial opportunities.Combined,the two companies will be able to realise operational synergies in the region of USD 350-400 million annually over the first couple of years following completion of the transaction.
Hamburg Süd will maintain its own structure hereunder its separate brands and is expected to deliver a high customer retention adding to Maersk Line’s growth agenda.
The combined network will include increased number of weekly sailings,faster transit times,more port calls,more direct port-to-port calls and less need for transhipment,to the benefits of both Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd customers.
The cost synergies will primarily be derived from integrating and optimizing the networks as well as standardized procurement.In addition,APM Terminals’global portfolio will benefit from increased volumes,specifically the many investments made in the Latin America Region.
“We consider the purchase price of EUR 3.7 billion a fair valuation of Hamburg Süd.By keeping Hamburg Süd as a separate and well-run company,we will limit the transaction and integration risks and costs while still extracting the operational synergies.The acquisition of Hamburg Süd will therefore create substantial value to Maersk Line already in 2019,”says Søren Skou.
To continue and strengthen the future growth of Hamburg Süd,Maersk Line emphasizes its plans to preserve the customer value proposition of Hamburg Süd.It also commits to maintain the presence of Hamburg Süd in Hamburg,Germany,and has agreed to lease the local head office,initially for a period of five years.
“Hamburg Süd has a strong brand and an attractive customer value proposition.We believe these elements are key for our acquisition to become a success.Therefore,Hamburg Süd will remain under own management and with full brand responsibility,”says Søren Skou.
“We see the acquisition of Hamburg Süd by Maersk Line as a natural development and we are convinced that Hamburg Süd will thrive under continued own management and maintain not only the services offered to its customers,but also provide its employees a fantastic opportunity to continue shaping the future of the industry as a leading service provider,”says Dr.Ottmar Gast,Chairman of the Hamburg Süd Executive Board.
With the acquisition,Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd will have a total container capacity of around 3.9 million TEU(3.3 million TEU)and an 18.7%(16.0%)global capacity share(Alphaliner per 24 April 2017).The combined fleet will consist of 743 container vessels.
The process of obtaining regulatory approvals is on schedule.On 23 March 2017,the US Department of Justice approved the proposed acquisition and on 10 April 2017,the EU Commission approved the proposed acquisition,subject to conditions.
Maersk Line expects to close the transaction by the end of 2017.Until then,Hamburg Süd and Maersk Line will continue business as usual as separate and independent companies.
