Cosco’s Hamburg move is commercial pragmatism, not a political play
While arguably it would benefit Cosco more to acquire a controlling shareholding in CCT or a stake in HHLA, the opportunity to gain a minority foothold inside the largest German container gateway makes some commercial sense
Despite the rapid influx of Chinese investment in European ports over the past decade, barriers are rapidly being erected to scrutinise deals and counter what the EU regards as the unfair trade and investment distortions produced by Chinese state capitalism. So why then is Cosco’s proposed stake in Hamburg, a steadfastly independent hub amid a sea of global operators, apparently not triggering too many concerns for now?