In December 1st, Maersk announced with Autodesk group (Oetker Group) to reach an agreement, the acquisition of German container shipping company Hamburg shipping group (Hamburg S D). The success of the acquisition depends on whether the parties can reach an agreement on the final approval of the relevant regulatory authorities. If the acquisition is completed, Maersk Line will have 3 million 800 thousand TEU Container capacity (before the acquisition of 3 million 100 thousand TEU), global capacity share will reach 18.6% (before the acquisition of 15.7%).

Hamburg shipping group is the world's seventh largest container shipping company, has a leading position in the industry in the north and South route. The company operates 130 container ships, container capacity reached 625 thousand teus. Hamburg shipping group has more than 250 offices worldwide, up to 5960 employees, owns the Hamburg shipping company, the Chilean National Shipping Company (CCNI) and Brazil Alian C a shipping company brand. In 2015, Hamburg Shipping Group annual revenue reached $6 billion 726 million, which includes container shipping business revenue of $6 billion 261 million.

Hamburg for Maersk shipping business is very good, especially in the north and South route. We can in the future in the East and West, North and south to the whole route to provide customers with the best quality service."

Hamburg Shipping Group Executive Chairman of the board of directors of Ottmar Gast said: "we are very proud to join the global market leader maersk. We can use the route network and system Maersk excellence, and will continue to operate the Hamburg brand and business model, to provide personalized shipping solutions for our customers. Maersk and Hamburg will jointly promote the product portfolio, better control costs, customers will benefit from."

Dr.August Oetker KG is Autodesk group management holding company, the Advisory Committee Chairman August Oetker said: "Hamburg in the shipping industry optimized for 80 years, to give up this business for our family and is not an easy decision. But we believe that we have chosen the best partners. Maersk will retain and develop the Hamburg brand, with the brand effect, the company's organizational structure and dedicated staff, provide shipping logistics services more reliable and high quality for our customers."

After the completion of the acquisition, Maersk Line will have 3 million 800 thousand TEU Container capacity (before the acquisition of 3 million 100 thousand TEU), global capacity share will reach 18.6% (before the acquisition of 15.7%). The total number of container ships operating after the acquisition will reach 741, the average age of 8.7 years (9.2 years before the acquisition).