In an open letter in Maersk Container Industry’s (MCI) latest newsletter Chief Commercial Officer Søren Leth Johannsen looked to close the door on the chapter of the sale process that has been hanging over MCI since it was announced in September 2021.

As is well known by now, the sale of MCI by A.P. Moeller – Maersk to China International Marine Containers (CIMC) ran into problems with the regulators and both parties agreed to terminate the sale agreement.

The sale was subject to regulatory approvals. However, “The likelihood that these necessary approvals from the US and German regulatory authorities would be obtained did however, over time, diminish and ultimately the partners jointly decided to with filings from the authorities,” Johannsen said. “Accordingly, the transaction has been discontinued and a Termination Agreement has been signed by the two parties.

“It now remains business as usual with CIMC and MCI continuing as two separate companies, as has been the case throughout the sale process. APMM continues to be a proud owner of MCI and is dedicated to supporting MCI in taking care of our customers, employees, and other key stakeholders. We look forwards to serving our customers as always,” Johannsen concluded.

With a line drawn under the sale process MCI highlighted the growing use of its Star Cool reefers as portable cold storage units by its Danish customer BOXIT. The company has found a niche renting reefer containers to festivals and large outdoor events. BOXIT has grown quickly and now routinely has between four and 80 reefer containers on site at festivals throughout Denmark. The containers are monitored remotely via MCI’s Sekstant system.