Brazil Approves MSC's Acquisition of Maritime Giant Wilson Sons

Regulators in Brazil have given the green light for MSC’s acquisition of Wilson Sons,setting the stage for the deal to finalize.

Back in October, MSC revealed its intention to acquire a 56% share of Wilson Sons from Ocean Wilson Holdings, which had been contemplating a sale since early 2023.Even though another company showed interest in bidding,MSC clinched the agreement for $760 million. After this purchase wraps up, MSC plans to make a public offer for the remaining shares, pushing the total deal value to around $1.35 billion.

With over 180 years of experience in Brazil’s maritime sector, Wilson Sons boasts an extensive portfolio that includes the largest tugboat fleet in Brazil and nearly two dozen offshore vessels. Their operations also encompass two terminals dedicated to offshore industries, a joint venture container terminal, shipyards, freight logistics services, and shipping agency functions. This acquisition aligns with MSC’s earlier purchase of Log-in Logistica in 2021 and strengthens its position within Brazil’s coastal trade.

This move is part of a broader strategy by the Aponte family—who own both MSC and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL)—to expand their global port holdings. Recently, CK Hutchison from Hong Kong announced that TIL is spearheading efforts to acquire Hutchison’s worldwide container terminal network comprising over 40 terminals. This aspiring transaction could reach approximately $23 billion if Hutchison navigates regulatory challenges posed by Chinese authorities.