ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE:ZIM) soared 33.6% in premarket trading Tuesday after agreeing to a $35-per-share cash acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd, valuing the Israeli carrier at approximately $4.2 billion.
The agreed price marks a 58% premium to ZIM’s closing level on February 13, 2026, and a 126% premium to the unaffected share price of $15.50 recorded on August 8, 2025, before takeover speculation surfaced.
ZIM’s board unanimously approved the transaction, which will bolster Hapag-Lloyd’s standing as the world’s fifth-largest container shipping group. Following completion, the combined company is expected to operate more than 400 vessels with capacity exceeding 3 million TEU and forecast annual volumes above 18 million TEU by 2027.
Under the terms of the deal, FIMI Opportunity Funds will establish a separate container shipping company, to be known as “New ZIM.” The new entity will manage 16 vessels focused on major global trade lanes serving Israel, benefiting from commercial backing by Hapag-Lloyd and access to the Gemini network.
“I am incredibly proud of the strategic transformation we have executed at ZIM over recent years, which has generated exceptional value for our shareholders,” said Eli Glickman, ZIM’s President and CEO.
The structure of the transaction also addresses continuity of shipping services to Israel through the transfer of ZIM’s Special State Share to a newly formed FIMI subsidiary, subject to Israeli government approval.
Since its IPO in January 2021, ZIM has returned roughly $5.7 billion to investors in dividends. Upon closing of the deal, cumulative capital returned to shareholders is expected to total around $10 billion.
The acquisition is targeted to complete by the end of 2026, pending shareholder consent and customary regulatory approvals.