China summons Maersk, MSC on ‘shipping operations’ amid Panama saga, Iran war shock

Advertisement US-China trade war Economy China Economy China summons Maersk, MSC on ‘shipping operations’ amid Panama saga, Iran war shock Beijing gave no reason for order – but both firms at centre of dispute after Panama ruled against CK Hutchison’s operation of two ports 2 -MIN READ 2 -MIN Carol Yang in Beijing Published: 3:00pm, 10 Mar 2026 China’s Ministry of Transport has summoned two maritime giants – Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) – for talks on “international shipping operations” amid legal disputes over the Panama Canal , a vital artery for global trade. No further details were provided in the one-sentence statement, which was posted on the ministry’s website on Tuesday. But in China, government summons often serve as a warning and, if ignored, could lead to further action. The move came as mounting geopolitical shocks – from Panama to the US-Israeli war with Iran – have severely affected shipping firms and port operators. Advertisement In late February, Pana