Local media in Brazil is widely reporting that Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) is looking to buy out Wilson Sons, a well known port and maritime logistics firm with operations across Latin America’s largest country.
Last year, MSC, the world’s largest containerline, bought out Brazilian line Log-In Logistica, since when it has been adding more services to Latin America to the point whereby the Soren Toft-led line now has more capacity heading to South America than on the transpacific to North America, according to data from Alphaliner.
MSC officials have yet to comment on the $1bn Wilson Sons acquisition rumours.
Ocean Wilsons, the parent of Wilson Sons, released a statement last week in which it confirmed it was “considering all potential strategic options”, while claiming not to have received a “formal proposal” from a possible buyer for its 57% stake in Wilson Sons.
Wilson Sons is the largest integrated port and maritime logistics operator in the Brazilian market. The company operates the Tecon Rio Grande container terminal in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, and the Tecon Salvador container terminal in Salvador, Bahia and renders commercial representation on behalf of shipowners in the main ports of Brazil.
Wilson Sons operates one of the largest tugboat fleets in Latin America with over 70 vessels and has a platform supply vessel joint venture with Chilean group Ultramar. The company also provides integrated logistics solutions and at the shipyard in Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Wilson Sons builds and maintains its offshore and towage fleets, as well as offering small and medium vessel construction for third parties.
