The liner shipping company MSC is expanding its terminal network with an acquisition in South America and is taking over a majority stake in Wilson Sons in Brazil.
Via its subsidiary Shipping Agencies Services (SAS), which also handled the acquisition of HHLA in Hamburg, the Aponte company is taking over a majority stake in the Brazilian port and logistics company Wilson Sons.
As announced by Ocean Wilsons Holdings, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, MSC is acquiring 56.47% of the shares. The value of the transaction is estimated at US$768m. Ocean Wilson had been looking for an investor for the subsidiary since the middle of last year.
MSC expands network in Brazil
Subject to certain regulatory approvals, the transaction with SAS is expected to close in the second half of 2025. Thereafter, the MSC subsidiary will acquire the remaining shares in Wilson Sons on the same terms as now agreed with Ocean Wilsons.
The world’s largest container liner shipping company has already significantly expanded its presence in Brazil with the acquisition of Log-In Logistica at the end of 2021. Wilson Sons operates the Tecon Rio Grande container terminal in Rio Grande and the Tecon Salvador container terminal in Salvador Bahia. The company also operates one of the largest tugboat fleets in Latin America.
