The Chinese state administration for market regulation has confirmed today the start of a formal investigation on the cession by the CK Hutchison of the Cheung Kong group (Holdings) of Hong Kong of terminalistic activities in the Panamensi ports of Balboa and Cristobal, placed at the two mouths of the Panama Canal. These activities are operated by the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of the Hutchison Ports of the CK Hutchison group. The sale is part of the agreement of the value of 22,8 billion dollars according to which the terminalista society Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) of the shipowning group MSC and the American investment societies BlackRock and GIP will acquire 80% of Hutchison Ports(of 4 March 2025).

According to the newspaper "South China Morning Post" in Hong Kong, the signing of the agreement for the sale of activities in Panama, scheduled for next Wednesday, will slip in light of the investigation announced today, postponement that in recent days had been repeatedly announced by several sources.