The Chinese shipping and logistics group filed an application with the German Federal Cartel Office on 22 December 2025 to acquire 80 per cent of the shares in Hamburg-based Konrad Zippel Spediteur GmbH, according to a published merger control notification (file number B9-130/25).
The acquiring company is Goldlead Supply Chain Development (Europe) B.V., a Dutch COSCO subsidiary based in Rotterdam. The registered business activity covers intermodal forwarding services. Completion of the transaction remains subject to antitrust and investment screening approvals.
Founded in 1876, Konrad Zippel employs around 350 people and operates approximately 200 trucks. The company is active in container hinterland transport by road, rail and inland waterway and is considered one of the established logistics service providers serving the Port of Hamburg.
Source: Zippel/Facebook
Management remains, co-shareholder exits
Managing partner Axel Plaß has confirmed the entry, stating that he will retain a 20 per cent stake and continue to lead the company. His previous co-shareholder, Axel Kröger, is leaving the business. According to industry sources, the company’s real estate assets are not included in the transaction.
Expansion of COSCO’s hinterland strategy
By acquiring a majority stake, COSCO would significantly expand its presence within Germany’s port and logistics system. In 2023, the group acquired a 24.99 per cent stake in HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort following intense political debate and a reduction from the originally sought 35 per cent shareholding.
While that investment primarily related to terminal handling, the acquisition of Konrad Zippel would give COSCO direct access to hinterland transport operations. According to industry sources, Zippel recently transported around 205,000 containers per year between seaports and inland destinations, a large proportion of them by rail.
Political and regulatory scrutiny
The planned takeover is attracting close attention from political and regulatory bodies amid ongoing debate over foreign investment in critical infrastructure. Following the controversy surrounding the Terminal Tollerort deal, the transaction is expected to be subject to a rigorous investment review. Observers anticipate that both national authorities and EU institutions will monitor the process closely.
For the transport and logistics sector, the move represents a further step in the vertical integration of shipping lines and hinterland logistics. The Konrad Zippel case illustrates how international shipping groups are increasingly expanding beyond port assets to cover entire transport chains, from maritime shipping to inland pre- and post-carriage.
