Consolidation in container shipping continues to the shortsea arena as world’s third-largest carrier swallows up another regional operator.
CMA CGM agrees deal with Container Finance to acquire container shipping and logistics business Containerships as well as holdings in Multi-Link Terminals and CD Holding
CMA CGM, the French container carrier, is to acquire the shipping and logistics business of Finland-based shortsea operator Containerships as it continues to grow its intra-European operations.
Containerships was founded in 1966 by the container leasing operation Sea Containers. It is an intra-European shortsea specialist with a strong presence in the Baltic market, Russia, northern Europe, North Africa and Turkey.
CMA CGM is already present on the intra-regional market through its subsidiaries, including CNC in the intra-Asia market, Mercosul in Brazil, Sofrana in the Pacific Islands and MacAndrews in Europe. “The acquisition of Containerships will strengthen even more the development strategy implemented by CMA CGM chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saadé aimed at densifying the group’s regional network,” CMA CGM said in a statement.
Containerships has a workforce of 560 and offers a range of services, including logistics via ship, truck, rail and barges. They operate 15 ships, all under 1,000 TEU, in the Baltic and Mediterranean. It will take delivery of four LNG-fuelled vessels between August 2018 and January 2019.
“Containerships’ network will efficiently complement CMA CGM and its affiliate MacAndrews’ service offering in northern Europe and the Mediterranean,” CMA CGM said.
Marseilles-based CMA CGM acquired shortsea operator MacAndrews in 2002. In 2015 it also took control of a rival shortsea intra-European specialist OPDR. MacAndrews rail, land and short-sea transport services were integrated with those of OPDR when it merged the two companies last year.
It remains unclear whether containerships will be moved into the MacAndrews brand as well or will continue to operate under its own identity.
Source: Lloyd’s List, CMA-CGM
