CMA CGM swoops for SOFRANA Unilines
French container shipping giant CMA CGM continues to strengthen its regional network, announcing the acquisition of SOFRANA Unilines, a line which focuses on the Pacific Islands regional maritime trade.
SOFRANA Unilines operates directly or in partnership a fleet of 10 vessels on eight trade-lanes, servicing 21 ports in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands.
CMA CGM’s subsidiary ANL already offers 16 tradelanes servicing major ports throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, North Asia, South East Asia, Indian Subcontinent and North America.
“The newly combined group, SOFRANA ANL, will join CMA CGM’s large portfolio of regional experts: OPDR and MacAndrews in Europe, CNC in Asia. In addition, CMA CGM announced in June its project to acquire Mercosul Line to build up its operations in Brazil,” the French line said in a statement. No price has been revealed for this latest acquisition. CMA CGM’s diverse set of container brands also includes Singapore-based APL.
The SOFRANA Unilines deal is expected to be completed by the end of October.