British Judge OKs Ports Deal

LONDON — A British High Court judge on Thursday approved a Dubai company’s bid to buy a British firm that operates port terminals in six U.S. cities, a deal that has caused controversy in the United States.

Justice Nicholas Warren dismissed an appeal by U.S.-based Eller & Co. and gave the go-ahead for the $6.8-billion acquisition of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

However, Warren stayed his ruling until 3 p.m. today to allow Eller & Co. to take its case before Britain’s Court of Appeals. Beyond that, the company could request the opportunity to appeal to the House of Lords.

The bid from Dubai Ports World has faced opposition among some U.S. lawmakers who are worried that allowing an Arab company to operate facilities in New York, Miami and other cities might compromise national security.

Eller, a major stevedoring services provider at the Port of Miami, had argued that the purchase could substantially harm its business, given the lingering controversy over security. But the British judge said he was convinced during the three-day hearing that Eller’s case was “woefully thin.”

“The objections of Eller do not persuade me that I should not sanction the scheme,” Warren said.

From a Times special correspondent.