- February 15, 2026
- 12:03 pm
- Israel
A political and public debate is flaring up around the future of the Israeli maritime carrier. The planned sale of ZIM to a consortium led by Hapag-Lloyd and the FIMI Opportunity Funds takes the issue far beyond business.
At stake is control over assets that many in Israel consider an element of national resilience during a crisis or war.
Why the deal has caused alarm in Haifa
Mayor Yona Yahav publicly appealed to the government demanding intervention. According to him, it is not just about a change of ownership, but about the risk of losing the last major Israeli shipping company.
ZIM is historically linked to Haifa: its headquarters are located here, its employees live here, and work and service chains are built around the company.
That is why the municipality’s reaction was sharp.
Yahav warns of possible consequences for employment and the state’s ability to rely on its own fleet in emergencies.
How roles are distributed in the proposed model
The deal is valued at about $3.7 billion. After its completion, the company’s shares are planned to be fully bought out, and the carrier itself will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
The German side will manage international activities.
The FIMI fund is to focus on areas that will be defined as strategically important for Israel.
Which assets are considered critical
A constant figure in discussions: 16 ships owned by the company.
Some of them sail under the Israeli flag, others can be mobilized or used under emergency orders if necessary.
The workers’ union led by Oren Kaspi emphasizes: these ships are capable of delivering ammunition, equipment, and basic goods during escalations when foreign carriers suspend calls to Israeli ports.
For industry people, this is not theory. Such pauses have already occurred.
The security argument comes to the forefront
The Mayor of Haifa formulates his position without diplomatic softening. Transferring control to a foreign structure, even with the participation of an Israeli fund, in his opinion, creates vulnerability.
He talks about jobs, but no less about strategic autonomy.
In the professional community, there is debate: will the division of powers be sufficient to maintain operational control within the country.
This discussion now goes beyond ports and offices. It is actively analyzed by analysts, economists, and specialized editorial offices, including NAnews β Israel News | Nikk.Agency, where the topic is viewed through the prism of the state’s logistical independence during periods of regional instability.
A geopolitical touch that adds tension
Among the shareholders of Hapag-Lloyd are sovereign funds from the Gulf countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Their combined share exceeds one-fifth of the capital.
Formally, these are portfolio investments. Politically, it is a factor that opponents of the deal will certainly use in debates.
What the municipality demands
Yona Yahav insists on direct government intervention and blocking the sale.
In his formulation, the issue sounds almost existential: Israel must retain its own shipping company as part of its economic and defense existence.
Whether this line will be supported at the national level is still unknown.
But the very fact that the municipal leader of the largest port city is speaking so harshly shows that the discussion is just beginning, and the deal will face a difficult political route ahead.
