China Container Giant’s Buyout of Maersk Unit Torpedoed by U.S. Anti-Trust Probe

China International Marine Containers Group Co. Ltd. (CIMC) has terminated a $1.1 billion deal to acquire refrigerated container maker Maersk Container Industry (MCI) after a U.S. anti-trust investigation concluded it would have put virtually all of the global sector in the hands of Chinese companies.

Both MCI, which is owned by Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk, and CIMC (000039.SZ) issued statements on Thursday announcing the mutual decision in what is just the latest example of Chinese companies’ overseas acquisitions being effectively blocked by foreign governments amid tightened national security and antitrust reviews.