Hong Kong firm CK Hutchinson has announced plans to sell its stake in Panama Canal ports as part of a US$22.8 billion deal. An investor group backed by U.S. investment firm Blackrock will take a controlling stake in ports in over a dozen countries.

Despite an influx of Chinese-operated ships onto Hong Kong’s registry, the number of oceangoing vessels flagged in the city fell more than 8 per cent to 2,366 in January from 2,580 four years earlier, according to independent analysis by VesselsValue. Government data show a similar drop.

The decision by Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison to sell its Panama ports to a US-led consortium provides the Central American country with a convenient way

(Reuters) - Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings said on Tuesday a consortium including BlackRock Inc would buy an 80% stake in Hutchison Ports Group for an equity value of $14.21 billion.

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., the Hong Kong-based conglomerate, agreed to sell control of a unit that operates ports near the Panama Canal after pressure from US President Donald Trump to limit Chinese interests in the region.

Some shipping companies are discreetly moving operations out of Hong Kong and taking vessels off its flag registry. Others are making contingency plans to do so. Behind these low-profile moves, six shipping executives said,