China summoned Maersk, MSC heads to ask about international shipping operations

China's state planner held meetings with executives of shipping firms Maersk and the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday, without elaborating on what the meetings were for.

China's Transport Ministry said earlier on Tuesday that it had summoned the heads of these firms to discuss international shipping business practices.

It remained unknown whether the meetings were related to Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison’s (0001) Panama Ports. 

Panama's government in January annulled ​the deals that gave Hutchison control of the two canal ‌ports ⁠following a court ruling deeming the contracts unconstitutional.

The government said the Balboa and Cristobal ports at the center of the dispute would be operated temporarily by Maersk ​and MSC.

Reuters and staff reporter