Cosco Shipping

CK Hutchison tipped to sell remaining ports despite Panama court ruling: experts

31 Jan 2026 - 11:01PM

US-Venezuela conflict

Can Peru keep both China and US onside in an increasingly volatile environment?

11 Jan 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

Could 2026 be the make-or-break year of CK Hutchison’s Panama ports deal?

What began as a strategic exit for a Hong Kong conglomerate has devolved into a high-stakes stand-off between Washington and Beijing.

2 Jan 2026 - 10:15AM

The Panama port deal still hung in the balance by the close of 2025. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong politics

Ex-shipping leader joins Hong Kong liaison office amid stalled ports deal

Former executive of Chinese shipping giant Cosco will replace Qi Bin, who is set to take up role in top national advisory body.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:29PM

US highlights Panama security ties as China-linked canal ports deal stalls

US envoy’s coastguard visit near Panama comes as Beijing presses for Cosco control and Washington pushes back.

19 Dec 2025 - 4:59AMvideocam

China trade

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:04AMvideocam

A container ship crosses the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea in 2023. Cargo ships have largely avoided the area in recent years due to attacks by Houthi rebel groups. Photo: EPA-EFE

China travel

China Tourism Group to chart new course in bid to dominate Asia’s cruise market

The combined venture will reportedly operate five cruise ships, with another under construction, as China strives to grow the industry.

25 Nov 2025 - 11:10AMvideocam

United States

Fire erupts at Los Angeles port triggering hazardous material alerts

Nearby residents urged to stay indoors as firefighting efforts continue.

22 Nov 2025 - 7:53PM

Trump-Xi summit aftermath

Since presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met on October 30, US-China trade relations have improved with a tariff rollback, soybean purchases resuming and new curbs put on shipments of fentanyl precursors.

21 Nov 2025 - 2:03PM

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

20 Nov 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s remarks about the Chinese presence at Piraeus port have attracted criticism from Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Panama ‘moving fast’ to pre-qualify bidders to build 2 new port terminals

One-on-one meetings set for first week of December, canal’s chief administrator says amid stalled sale of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s ports.

7 Nov 2025 - 9:47PM

Panama seeks partners in new port plan that ‘may ease US-China rivalry’

Panama Canal Authority says it has ‘launched a consultation process with representatives of the maritime industry to identify potential partners’.

28 Oct 2025 - 9:43PM

China shipbuilding

‘Clear edge’: why China’s shipyards are still dominant despite US port fee drama

China’s shipbuilders already lead in terms of capacity, price and quality – and they will benefit from the green transition, insiders say.

21 Oct 2025 - 6:00PM

A container ship sails near a port in China’s eastern Shandong province. China remains the world’s leading shipbuilder despite efforts by the United States to curtail its dominance. Photo: AFP

CK Hutchison gets encouraging signs of a deal with Panama government

Panama is still open to being flexible and reaching an amicable agreement with CK Hutchison, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

21 Oct 2025 - 6:49AMvideocam

The Port of Balboa, located at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City, is managed by the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

As China and US impose rival port fees, global shipping braces for disruption

But analysts say Beijing has left room to negotiate and could adjust its fees based on Washington’s actions.

15 Oct 2025 - 12:38AMvideocam

Will Peru’s Chancay Port be the next ‘Panama moment’ for China?

The Chinese-invested facility is a flagship belt and road project in Latin America, a region the US sees as its backyard.

13 Oct 2025 - 11:57PMvideocam

China hits back at Trump’s port fees with reciprocal charges for US ships

As US readies steep port fees targeting Chinese vessels, Beijing says it will begin levying similar surcharges for American ships next week.

10 Oct 2025 - 6:20PM

In response to US port fees taking effect next week, China has rolled out its own fees for vessels owned or affiliated with the US making port calls within its borders. Photo: Xinhua

China issues retaliatory rules ahead of US port fee targeting Chinese vessels

Beijing’s countermeasures seen as further complicating shipping routes connecting US and China, but the number of affected vessels could be small.

30 Sep 2025 - 5:00PM

Before US port fee hits China vessels, carriers are dodging the blow: experts

With steep new fees scheduled to take effect October 14, ports on east and west coasts of the US are seeing fewer Chinese-built container ships.

26 Sep 2025 - 4:00PM

Belt and Road Initiative

China drops latest trade anchor in Latin America with new service to Peru megaport

Chancay port, a flagship Belt and Road project, is set to welcome its first direct shipment from Suzhou under the new service.

17 Sep 2025 - 12:56AM

An aerial drone photo shows the vessel named “Xin Shanghai” operated by China Cosco Shipping Corporation docking at Chancay port, Peru, on November 25, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

China shipbuilding

‘Historical evolution’: China’s shipping firms pivot amid looming US port fees

The shipping industry is undergoing ‘unprecedented’ changes as the US prepares to hit Chinese-linked vessels with steep levies.

2 Sep 2025 - 3:18PM

A container ship operated by the state-owned Chinese conglomerate Cosco Shipping Holdings anchors in Hamburg, Germany. China’s shipping companies are adjusting their fleets to cope with steep new US port fees targeting Chinese-linked vessels. Photo: AP

Hong Kong stock market

CK Hutchison says US$23 billion global ports sale delayed until 2026

The deal is taking much longer than expected because of the size and complexity, co-managing director Frank Sixt says.

14 Aug 2025 - 10:33PM

China shipbuilding

‘It takes time’: China’s shipping edge likely safe from South Korean investments

New ventures in Vietnam and the Philippines may ease domestic constraints but unlikely to challenge Chinese dominance, analysts say.

14 Aug 2025 - 7:00AM

Will CK Hutchison’s plan to tap mainland Chinese firm for ports deal pay off?

Deal may become bargaining chip between US and China, experts say, as Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate looks to add ‘significant member’ to consortium.

29 Jul 2025 - 8:12PMvideocam

CK Hutchison has revealed that it plans to invite a mainland Chinese firm to join a consortium behind the deal as a “significant member”. Photo: Sam Tsang

CK Hutchison seeks mainland Chinese investor for US$23 billion ports deal

Announcement comes after 145-day exclusive negotiation period between CK Hutchison and consortium ended on July 27.

28 Jul 2025 - 10:32PM

The Panama Canal ports are a major factor in the proposed deal. Photo: AP

Not worth it? Trump’s Arctic push stirs debate over China’s polar ambitions

Washington views the Arctic as a strategic priority, but Chinese analysts split on whether costly infrastructure serves Beijing’s interests.

25 Jul 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam