Local tycoon Li Ka-shing’s deep relationship with the Italian billionaire Aponte family played a pivotal role in CK Hutchison's (0001) US$22.8 billion (HK$177.8 billion) mega ports sale deal with the BlackRock-TiL consortium, The Standard’s sister newspaper Sing Tao Daily has learned.

It is understood that Mediterranean Shipping Company, or MSC, a global shipping giant founded by the Aponte family in 1970, has strong ties with the Li family.

The relationship between the two billionaire families dates back to the previous generation, with Li Ka-shing and Gianluigi Aponte cultivating a deep friendship. It is this bond of trust between the families that enabled the successful agreement of this transaction, Sing Tao reported.

Diego Aponte, the second-generation leader of the international shipping firm and chairman of Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), is the key figure facilitating this transaction, the report said.

Unlike the usual business-centric tone adopted with other partners, Diego Aponte placed greater emphasis on his relationship with CK Hutchison in the joint announcement of the deal.

“Our relationship with Hutchison Ports goes back a long way and is a relationship of mutual respect and friendship.” “We have a very high regard toward the Hutchison Ports management team, and once this transaction closes, we look forward to welcoming them into our larger family,” Aponte said.

An Italian-Swiss national, Diego Aponte joined MSC in 2006 and acted as a vital assistant to his father before assuming the role of president of the MSC group in 2014.

TiL, which was founded by Diego Aponte in 2000, is expected to operate the 43 ports currently run by CKH once the deal is finalized.

That will make MSC Group, including Til, the world’s largest terminal operator from the current seventh spot, with a combined total volume of over 78 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

MSC, which has businesses including terminal investment, cargo and passenger ferry transportation, as well as luxury cruises, is well-connected with Hong Kong and China.

The shipping giant set up its office in Hong Kong in 1998 and has 13 services calling at Hong Kong on a weekly basis, which connect to its global network of 230+ routes, its website showed.

Diego Aponte flew many times to Hong Kong in the past decade or so to meet with the management of firms, including China Merchants Group, aiming to enhance communication and cooperation.
STAFF REPORTER

MSC Group president Diego Aponte

More details of CK Hutchison's US$22.8b ports sale deal emerge