French containership company CMA CGM announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase through its subsidiary, ANL, the majority of the shares in SOFRANA Unilines, operating in Pacific Islands.
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 ANL already offers 16 trade lanes servicing major ports throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, North Asia, South East Asia, Indian Subcontinent and North America.
Through the acquisition, CMA CGM aims to enhance port coverage in the South Pacific region. The newly combined group, SOFRANA ANL, will join CMA CGM’s 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 acquisition of SOFRANA Unilines is expected to be completed by the end of October.
