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France's CMA CGM to acquire Brazil's leading container terminal in $2 bln offer

French shipping giant CMA CGM prepares to acquire port terminal operator Santos Brasil in a deal that might reach $2 billion and give it control of South America's biggest container terminal, it said on Monday.

The offer, initially revealed on Sunday by Santos Brasil in a. regulatory filing, extends an acquisitions spree by the. Marseille-based business considering that it earned billions throughout a. shipping boom in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMA CGM has accepted pay 6.3 billion reais ($ 1.13 billion). for a 47.6% stake in Santo Brasil, and after that on closing launch a. takeover deal for the remaining shares.

Brazil is a country that is growing quick and we have the. ways to back our ambitions, CEO Rodolphe Saade informed press reporters. on a call.

CMA CGM has indicated areas like South America as. supporting its growth in the last few years alongside huge circulations. in between China and the United States.

Santos Brasil runs the Tecon Santos terminal that is. Brazil's and South America's greatest with capability to handle. around 2.5 million containers annually.

The firm operates two other container terminals in the. country and likewise runs a vehicle and a liquid bulk terminal and. 3 logistics facilities.

CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest container shipping line,. aimed to cut waiting times for vessels at Santos port that can. stretch to 10 days, Saade said.

A U.S. election focus on further tariffs against Chinese. items and the threat of a port strike on the U.S. East Coast have. clouded the outlook for shipping towards the United States.

In its Brazil offer, CMA CGM will acquire its initial stake. from family-owned Brazilian asset supervisor Opportunity for 15.30. reais each.

The rate represents a 20% premium over Friday's closing. rate. The initial offer is anticipated to close in the first. quarter of 2025, based on regulatory approval, after which. CMA CGM would tender for all other shares within one month.

CMA CGM will fund the deal from its own funds, it said.

Its acquisition flurry has actually also led it to expand its. logistics organization and purchase French media organizations, drawing. hire France for it to pay more tax.

The group was willing to contribute to any windfall tax on. major companies the brand-new government considers required, however opposed. ditching the shipping tax program, stated Saade, who controls CMA. CGM with other relative.

(source: Reuters)