The spokesman said Korea Line offered higher prices than Hyundai Merchant Marine, but did not disclose the value of the potential deal. Korea Line is affiliated with SM Group which has a business portfolio that ranges from construction to chemicals.
The U.S.-Asia route, its related workforce and seven overseas operations up for sale could fetch up to 100bn won ($85m), according to news agency Yonhap.
Hanjin Shipping, the first major shipping line to bear the brunt of a global overcapacity and low freight rates, has put up for sale its U.S. to Asia routes, including manpower systems and five container ships.
The company owns a 54 percent stake in Total Terminals International, which operates two facilities in Long Beach and Seattle and handles around 30 percent of U.S. West Coast cargo.
Hanjin Shipping’s container ship fleet has been reduced dramatically with most of its chartered vessels now returned to owners. Of its 14 remaining ships, all but three are stranded or have been seized.
