Hapag-Lloyd has acquired a 25% stake in APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, enhancing its terminal portfolio and ensuring reliable capacity in Europe.
Hapag-Lloyd has taken another step in its expansion into terminals and infrastructure. The Hamburg-based carrier has completed the acquisition of a 25% stake in APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam, following unconditional approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.
The investment strengthens Hapag-Lloyd's global terminal portfolio, which is managed by Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT). It also secures long-term access to handling capacity at one of Europe's most advanced container terminals. For cargo owners moving goods through Northern Europe, that capacity matters. Reliable access to a major gateway helps protect transit schedules, ease congestion risks, and support delivery commitments to end customers.
Dheeraj Bhatia, CTIO of Hapag-Lloyd AG and CEO of Hanseatic Global Terminals, described the completed transaction as a foundation for lasting value:
"We are very pleased to have completed this transaction and become a shareholder in Maasvlakte II. Together with APM Terminals, we look forward to supporting the terminal's continued growth and development, creating long-term value for our customers and further strengthening Rotterdam's role as a major European gateway."
Harold Kunst, Managing Director of APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, emphasized that the terminal's operating priorities remain firmly in place:
"We look forward to the continued development of APM Terminals Maasvlakte II. Hapag-Lloyd's participation as a shareholder supports the terminal's long-term growth and our ongoing expansion, while our focus remains unchanged: operating safely and reliably for all our customers and delivering the additional capacity and performance they need."
Maasvlakte II serves as a key European hub for the Gemini Cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk. The partnership centers on schedule reliability and a hub-based network design. With Hapag-Lloyd now a shareholder alongside APM Terminals, the terminal's role in the network carries added strategic weight. Both Gemini partners now hold a direct stake in one of the network's central European nodes.
The terminal is currently undergoing a major expansion, including additional berth capacity, additional yard capacity, and further automation.
After the expansion is complete, the terminal is expected to reach an annual handling capacity of approximately 5.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units, the standard measure of container volume). For shippers, freight forwarders, and importers, more berth and yard capacity at a core hub supports steadier vessel handling and greater resilience during seasonal demand peaks. It also helps keep goods moving efficiently toward their final destinations.
Established in 2023, Hanseatic Global Terminals operates as an independent entity within the Hapag-Lloyd Group, focused on terminals and infrastructure. As part of its 2030 vision, the company aims to become a leading global terminal operator. It plans to expand its portfolio to approximately 30 terminal investments worldwide.
The Maasvlakte II stake advances that ambition at one of Europe's most important container gateways. It pairs Hapag-Lloyd's long heritage in ocean shipping with growing influence over the landside infrastructure that keeps global trade moving.
The acquisition is not just a shareholding in a Rotterdam terminal. It is a deliberate investment in capacity, reliability, and long-term value for the customers who depend on Europe's supply chains.
