ZIM’s shares climbed 33.6% in premarket trading on Tuesday following an agreed cash acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd at $35 per share, a deal that places the Israeli shipping company’s value at roughly $4.2 billion.
The bid represents a 58% premium to ZIM’s closing price on February 13, 2026, and a 126% premium to the company’s unaffected price of $15.50 on August 8, 2025, a level recorded before public speculation of a possible transaction began. ZIM’s board of directors approved the transaction unanimously.
Under the terms announced, the combination will significantly expand Hapag-Lloyd’s scale. The merged business will operate a fleet of more than 400 vessels with capacity in excess of 3 million TEU and is projected to handle over 18 million TEU of annual cargo volume in 2027.
As part of the arrangement, FIMI Opportunity Funds - identified as Israel’s largest private equity fund - will establish a new company to continue container shipping services into Israel. The entity, to be called New ZIM, will operate 16 vessels on primary global trade routes into Israel, and will receive commercial support from Hapag-Lloyd as well as access to the Gemini network.
ZIM’s president and chief executive, Eli Glickman, commented on the agreement: "I am incredibly proud of the strategic transformation we have executed at ZIM over recent years, which has generated exceptional value for our shareholders."
The transaction also addresses the continuity of shipping services to Israel by transferring ZIM’s Special State Share to a subsidiary created by FIMI, a step that requires approval from the Israeli government.
Since its public listing in January 2021, ZIM has returned approximately $5.7 billion to shareholders through dividends. With the completion of this transaction, aggregate capital returned to shareholders is expected to reach about $10 billion.
The closing of the deal is anticipated by late 2026 but remains contingent on shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.
Summary of key facts
- ZIM agreed to be acquired by Hapag-Lloyd for $35 per share, valuing ZIM at about $4.2 billion.
- The offer is a 58% premium to ZIM’s Feb. 13, 2026 close and a 126% premium to the unaffected $15.50 price from Aug. 8, 2025.
- FIMI will form New ZIM to operate 16 vessels serving Israel; New ZIM will receive commercial support and access to the Gemini network from Hapag-Lloyd.
- The combined company will run more than 400 ships, exceed 3 million TEU capacity, and target more than 18 million TEU in annual cargo volume in 2027.
- The transaction is expected to conclude by late 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, and will require Israeli government sign-off on the Special State Share transfer.
Contextual note
The board’s unanimous approval and the substantial premiums to recent trading levels are central to the immediate market reaction. Provisions to create a separate, Israel-focused carrier under FIMI aim to preserve dedicated services into Israel while integrating global operations under Hapag-Lloyd.