- Opposition to the MSC/HHLA Merger Based on Red-Green Political Alignment
Anti-MSC sentiments surge among Hamburg Parliament's red-green faction
Before the upcoming vote in the Hamburg Parliament regarding MSC's entry into the municipal port logistics company HHLA, there's growing opposition from the left-leaning base. Social Democrats from the Forum Democratic Left for the 21st Century (DL21) are urging SPD members to vote against the deal this coming Wednesday. Similarly, the Green Youth's state association has voiced its rejection of MSC's entry.
According to the Green Youth's state representative, Berkay Güür, speaking to the German Press Agency, "This deal doesn't enhance industry functionality, but solely boosts a single company's profitability." He further explained, "The alleged success of a single company holds no significance for the city's prosperity."
Güür argued that MSC is merely seeking to enhance its management salaries, expand its global influence, and accumulate personal wealth. He warned that the state government's decision to grant MSC a monopoly position in the local shipping industry would be detrimental, stating that "a red-green Senate aiding this company is hard to stomach."
Community well-being threatened by MSC entry
The initiative "Social Democrats for the HHLA in public hands" echoed similar sentiments in their open letter, stating, "Historically, privatizing public infrastructure has strengthened monopolistic control, burdened public finances, and led to deteriorations for employees and the overall population."
The port, being an integral part of infrastructure, should serve the economic interests of all, they argued. The Social Democrats were urged to adhere to social democratic principles and make a historic decision for the city in the vote, as expressed in their letter to SPD members: "We urge you to reject the deal with MSC."
MSC seeks major stake in HHLA
Hamburg's red-green coalition aims to incorporate MSC to stabilize the Hamburg Port and Logistics AG (HHLA) and enhance container handling. The city would maintain a 50.1% stake, while MSC would secure a 49.9% share. Currently, the city holds around 70%, while the rest is publicly traded.
In exchange, MSC pledges to ramp up its cargo handling at HHLA terminals beginning next year, aiming to increase it to one million standard containers per year by 2031. Additionally, MSC intends to construct a new German headquarters in Hamburg, and in partnership with the city, boost HHLA's equity capital by 450 million euros.
The plans were previously approved in the Parliament's last session before the summer break with a two-thirds majority from the red-green coalition. However, the necessary vote in the second reading was initially obstructed by opposition parties, and it has now been scheduled for the first session post-summer break on Wednesday.
Week-long campaign against MSC entry
Port workers, The Left, and the Verdi trade union have initiated a week-long campaign against the proposed sale. Various informational and discussion events are on the agenda, culminating in a demonstration led by the alliance "MSC deal stop" at the landing bridges on Saturday.
Despite the city's aim of partnering with MSC to boost container handling and invest in a new headquarters, the Green Youth's state representative, Berkay Güür, criticized the move, asserting that it would grant MSC a harmful monopoly in the local shipping industry. Furthermore, the large shipping company's entry into HHLA could potentially threaten the community's well-being, as argued by the initiative "Social Democrats for the HHLA in public hands."
