Ferdinand Huts
Belgian businessman, chief executive of Katoen Natie; reported Black Cube client in Uruguay
| Ferdinand (Fernand) Huts
| |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Occupation | Businessman; chief executive of Katoen Natie |
| Known for | Head of the Huts family that owns Katoen Natie; reported client of Black Cube in Uruguay (2021–2024) |
| Children | Karl Huts (son and business partner, according to Intelligence Online) |
Ferdinand Huts, named on his company's website as Fernand Huts, is a Belgian businessman and chief executive of the family-owned logistics group Katoen Natie, which runs the largest container terminal in Montevideo, Uruguay. In July 2026 Intelligence Online reported that the Huts family had hired the Israeli private intelligence firm Black Cube, first against a rival port operator and later against Uruguay's opposition Broad Front.
Intelligence Online described Huts as "one of Belgium's richest men" and said he "maintained particularly good relations" with Uruguay's then president Luis Lacalle Pou, whose government extended Katoen Natie's Montevideo terminal licence to 2081 in February 2021.[1] Katoen Natie's website refers to him as "CEO Fernand Huts".[2]
Reported Black Cube engagement
According to a single source cited by Intelligence Online, "Huts's relationship with Black Cube went back to at least the first half of 2021", when he briefed operatives gathered in Mechelen, Belgium, about the rival Montevideo port operator Montecon. The article's wording leaves it unclear whether the briefing was given by Ferdinand or by another family member. The same source said Black Cube "helped set up hidden cameras to film Montecon executives in Montevideo".[1]
Before the 2024 presidential election, the publication reported, his son Karl Huts feared a change of policy, and the family enlisted Black Cube to gather information on the circle of the Broad Front candidate Yamandú Orsi. Orsi won the election.[1]
Black Cube, through an English law firm, cited client confidentiality and denied conducting political investigations in Uruguay. The article does not report a response from Huts, his family or Katoen Natie.[1] Full detail is on Black Cube in Uruguay.
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Matt Bernardini and Michael Sweeney, Black Cube, business and politics in Latin America, Intelligence Online, 15 July 2026.
- ↑ Katoen Natie General, Katoen Natie website (the company's own material), accessed 19 October 2026.