The logistics tycoon said a share sale could take place in two or three years - and would go ahead even if a combination deal with its rival fails.

The companies, which have more than 260 ships between them, announced talks over a tie-up in December.

A deal has not yet been agreed, with TradeWinds reporting in January that Hamburg Sud was likely to hold out for a controlling stake in the combined company, despite it being smaller, because of its strong financial position.

But Kuhne told Die Welt that he envisioned Oetker-controlled Hamburg Sud having only 40% of the merged group.

"I am in favour of a partnership with Oetker, not a takeover of Oetker," he said.

"I would consider it ideal if Oetker remains involved with maybe 40% and I own a blocking minority of 25% or less in the long term ."

The rest would be a free float.

Hapag-Lloyd is currently controlled by the Albert Ballin consortium, including Kuhne and the city of Hamburg, with tourism group TUI having 22%.

Kuhne said: "I have invested about EUR 1bn ($1.3bn) in Hapag-Lloyd. The city has contributed even more.

"TUI wants to get rid of its 22% as soon as possible, the smaller share owners in the Ballin consortium want to get out. And finally the city of Hamburg aims to reduce their shares in the long term.

"All of this goes only through an initial public offering."

But he added that the shipping company also needs the ability to grow, and can only do this via an IPO.

"With or without Hamburg Sud, Hapag-Lloyd will go on the stock exchange," he said.

He said a merger deal could take until the summer of even into the autumn.

Kuhne believes Hapag and Hamburg Sud are too small to survive on their own when faced with the three giants of Maersk Line, CMA CGM and MSC.

"However, Hapag-Lloyd has the larger problems to stay above the waterline. The company is exposed to the cut-throat competition in the far East trade," he added.

He also said he would one day like to add an Asian company to the merged entity, and considers NOL suitable.

The combined company would be the world’s fourth-largest container line.

Kuhne is expecting an improvement in container markets in 2015.