Preussag hopes to finance the deal, in part, by floating half of its Hapag-Lloyd logistics arm on the stockmarket.

ECONOMIST: Tour operators

Hapag-Lloyd said a general travel warning for the area, issued by the German Foreign Ministry, played a part in the decision.

CNN: German cruise ship to fly passengers over pirate hotspot

The problem has forced companies like Hapag-Lloyd, that use the Gulf of Aden, to make new plans, including stepping up security or changing their routes.

CNN: German cruise ship to fly passengers over pirate hotspot

DB's role in the sale by Metro, a big retailer, of its non-core assets, which galvanised German retailing, and in the sale of Hapag-Lloyd, a travel agency, which did the same for the tourism business.

ECONOMIST: German banking investments

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said all 246 passengers and most of the crew aboard the MS Columbus, currently at the start of an around-the-world cruise, will disembark at an undisclosed port, then fly to Dubai to continue their journey.

CNN: German cruise ship to fly passengers over pirate hotspot