MSC SAS Lux, a Luxembourg-based subsidiary affiliated with MSC, has submitted formal applications to the Greek and Cypriot antitrust authorities for approval to acquire a 50% stake in Sinokor Maritime. This represents the group’s tanker division, Sinokor Marine, while container shipping is managed by a separate entity, Sinokor Merchant Marine.
Since the beginning of 2026, Sinokor Marine has been actively expanding its VLCC fleet and could soon become the largest operator in this segment. In January alone, the company acquired at least 35 such vessels on the secondary market. Amid these investments, rumors have circulated in the market since late last year that the Aponte family, owners of MSC, is behind the expansion, and that possible deals for the Korean group’s container fleet are also under discussion.
While the potential deal won’t significantly impact MSC’s position in the container segment (where the company holds the global leadership with a fleet of approximately 7.2 million TEUs as of 2022), it could strengthen the group’s presence in the tanker business. Meanwhile, Sinokor Merchant Marine remains a niche but important carrier in Asia, specializing in routes between Korea and China and managing a fleet of 69 vessels with a total capacity of over 125,000 TEUs.