Exclusive: BlackRock may make an offer for New York's biggest container terminal

Potential Acquisition of Leading New York Container Terminal

The world’s most prominent asset management firm may support a bid from the largest global container shipping company to acquire the busiest container terminal at the primary port on the U.S. East Coast.

According to sources cited by FreightWaves, BlackRock, headquartered in New York, is considering joining forces with Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) to purchase Maher Terminals. Maher is responsible for managing over one-third of all container traffic passing through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Recently, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey extended its lease with Macquarie Group, an Australian investment firm, for another 33 years, lasting until 2063. Macquarie, which took control of Maher Terminals from Deutsche Bank in 2016 via its asset management division, currently holds the majority stake. Additionally, a subsidiary of Japan’s NYK Line owns 20% of Maher. When asked for comment, the Port Authority directed inquiries to Macquarie, which also owns the Long Beach Container Terminal in California.

In 2024, Maher Terminals processed more than 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) out of the port’s total 8.7 million TEUs, making it the most active terminal in the region.

An industry executive familiar with the potential transaction confirmed that Maher Terminals is valued at $3 billion. The recent lease renewal has attracted interest from various buyers, including private infrastructure investment funds. However, the sale process has not officially started, and no timeline has been set.

Macquarie’s ownership in Maher is held through its private infrastructure fund, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners III, which is managed by Macquarie Asset Management. The timing of Maher’s potential sale aligns with the fund’s scheduled conclusion in 2030.

The sale of Maher Terminals will not impact Macquarie’s other U.S. port holdings, including Long Beach Container Terminal, International Transportation Service in Long Beach, and TraPac at the Port of Los Angeles.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the possible sale of Maher Terminals.

Other interested parties reportedly include German ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd, Singapore-based PSA International, and DP World from Dubai. Maher is unique as the only New York terminal not already under the control of an ocean carrier.

BlackRock, which manages between $11 trillion and $12 trillion in assets, became a significant player in maritime infrastructure in 2025. That year, it partnered with MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited to acquire the majority of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison terminal business for $23 billion. However, the deal was later blocked by Chinese authorities, who insisted that state-owned Cosco receive a controlling interest in the Panama Canal terminals included in the transaction.

A spokesperson for BlackRock declined to comment on both the Maher Terminals situation and the Hutchison transaction.

Additional Insights and Industry Context

MSC, known for its discreet public profile, is controlled by the Aponte family in Geneva, with founder and chairman Gianluigi Aponte at the helm. The company, reportedly holding $75 billion in cash reserves, has recently invested heavily in new assets, including six cruise ships valued at $16 billion and new as well as pre-owned container vessels totaling 2 million TEUs. MSC is also building a new container terminal in Baltimore.

FreightWaves has contacted the companies mentioned for further statements.