China Merchants Holdings (International) Co., Ltd. (SEHK: 0144), one of the world's leading port operators, announced Thursday that its shares had been suspended trading but gave no details.

It also announced Wednesday that it was in advanced talks to reshape its port operations in Mainland China.

An insider from Shekou Container Terminals Ltd. disclosed that China Merchants was negotiating with overseas investors of China Merchants to buy their stakes in relative terminals in a bid to regroup its port business in western Shenzhen.

The deal is expected to be closed at the first half of next year, the insider told journalists.

The Shekou terminal project is composed of three phrases. The Phrase II with four berths have been jointly invested by China Merchants, Swire Pacific (SEHK: 0019), Wharf Holdings (SEHK: 0004) and Dubai Ports International, said Tu Shihai, the marketing general manager of Shekou Container.