Two major Panama Canal ports have been sold from their Hong Kong owner to a consortium including American multinational investment company BlackRock.

There is growing concern that maritime operations could be ensnared by forces beyond their control in a military clash. Read more at straitstimes.com.

An investor group led by BlackRock will acquire two ports near the Panama Canal that are owned by CK Hutchison and have been the subject of a dispute between President Trump and Panama.

China’s presence in Panama has expanded rapidly, sparking fears in Washington. But Panama has already started shifting its allegiances and announced the transfer of major container ports to a US-led consortium.

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 out of its standoff with President Donald Trump,

(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.