MSC continues its expansion in Brazil
As part of its expansion strategy, MSC has acquired a majority stake in Brazilian company Wilson Sons for US$768 million.
The parties carried out the transaction through MSC’s subsidiary, Shipping Agencies Services. The Swiss logistics giant has acquired a 56.5% stake in the company. Ocean Wilsons previously held a controlling interest. The transaction is currently being finalised and is subject to regulatory review. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. According to Reuters, MSC intends to acquire the remaining stake in the Brazilian company in the future.
Wilson Sons operates two container terminals in Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia. The company also owns a large tugboat fleet, one of the largest in Latin America. As Splash247 notes, the company’s asset valuation was more than US$1 billion as of 2023.
Under the terms of the deal, Ocean Wilsons will receive approximately US$593 million in net cash. Some of this will be used to pay special dividends, and the company plans to reinvest the rest of the capital in its portfolio to diversify it.
MSC expansion
It is worth noting that this is not MSC’s first acquisition in Brazil. The company has been strengthening its position in the local market. In 2021, it acquired a regional logistics company. Prior to that, rival Swiss operator CMA CGM struck a US$2 billion deal with Santos Brasil.
Shares in Wilson Sons fell 9% on the São Paulo bourse following the acquisition news. However, following a significant restructuring, they have remained at high levels since 2021. At the same time, Ocean Wilson’s share price rose by more than 8% on the London Stock Exchange.
MSC is pursuing an expansion strategy not only in South America but also in Europe. In the autumn of 2006, the Hamburg authorities approved the transaction with HHLA. As part of the deal, MSC acquired a 50% stake in the port terminal. Discussions and opposition from local trade unions and politicians accompanied the deal. In the end, the Commission approved it subject to certain conditions:
– MSC will invest €450 million in equity;
– 775 million in intermodal networks and container terminals.
The details of the deal are currently subject to approval by the European Commission.
About the company
MSC is a Swiss shipping company. Since 2022, it has been the number one in the world in terms of the total number of container vessels. From 2023, the company:
– is the largest operator in the maritime logistics sector;
– has a fleet of 799 boats;
– has a total capacity of more than 5.6 million TEU;
– 499 owned vessels, representing over 48% of capacity.
The company owns the world’s largest container ship, Gülsün, which has been in operation since 2019. Another giant, the Tessa, will join the fleet in 2023. The company’s structure includes subsidiaries, including a cruise operator.
