Three operators linked to Wilson sale

The three possible suitors are PSA International, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and China Merchants Group, of which only the latter has a presence in Brazil: China Merchants Group bought a 90% stake in the Paranaguá container terminal Terminal de Contêineres de Paranaguá last year from the Advent fund and from some minority shareholders.

Both PSA International and HPH have shown interest in Brazilian port assets previously.

Significantly, DP World did originally indicate an interest in the Wilson Sons business, but its non-binding proposal was considered too low and therefore rejected.

Wilson Sons is to invite firm bids by the end of this year or early next year.

The concessions are of particular interest since they are effective box-handling monopolies in the ports where they are located.