Following its announcement in September last year, Marseille-based container shipping line CMA CGM Group has completed its acquisition of UK’s maritime intermodal logistics operator Freightliner.
Freightliner consists of 10 terminals, circa 1.4m rail slots and 2,000 wagons, and owns one of the largest fleets of electric locomotives in the UK.
The company sees its acquisition by the CMA CGM Group as “the beginning of a new chapter” which “further reinforces its position as the leading intermodal rail freight operator in the United Kingdom.”
Under the terms of the acquisition, Freightliner will continue to operate as a standalone, multi-user, multi-customer intermodal service provider serving the UK Intermodal logistics market.
Heavy Haul Rail, previously part of The Freightliner Group, will operate independently remaining under the current shareholder ownership. This is the same for European businesses, Rotterdam Rail Feeding and Freightliner PL and DE, which will continue to operate independently from Freightliner Ltd – also remaining with current shareholder ownership.
While headquartered in France, CMA CGM already has a significant presence in the UK, where it employs nearly 7,200 staff across its maritime, logistics, and inland services. 286 staff work for its shipping agency, and it operates 28 services which connect the UK with the rest of the world.
Its subsidiary CEVA Logistics employs 6,768 people at 103 sites.
“We are incredibly pleased to announce our acquisition by CMA CGM. Becoming part of a global group of this scale gives Freightliner the means to accelerate its development and strengthen its role at the heart of UK intermodal logistics. By combining our deep UK rail expertise with CMA CGM’s maritime reach and global logistics capabilities, we are building a more resilient, integrated and future-ready supply chain for our customers. Our team will continue to operate with the same autonomy, professionalism and reliability that Freightliner customers trust, now supported by the long-term vision and resources of a world-class logistics group,” said Chris Lawreson, managing director, Freightliner.
