CMA CGM to acquire Sofrana Unilines

The French ocean carrier will buy out Sofrana Unilines via CMA CGM’s subsidiary ANL by the end of this month, the company announced Monday.    French ocean liner CMA CGM will purchase Pacific Island-based shipping line Sofrana Uniliners via CMA CGM’s subsidiary, ANL Lines, the company announced Monday.
   Sofrana Unilines operates in the Oceania and Pacific Islands regions, with a fleet of 10 vessels, said CMA CGM. According to ocean liner schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting, Sofrana is the sole operator of two services, with Maersk Line and PDL purchasing slots. The shipping line purchases slots on three other services to New Zealand and Australia, with PDL as the vessel operator.
   “With successful operations in the South Pacific region for almost 50 years, SOFRANA will provide enhanced port coverage to ANL and CMA CGM in this area,” said CMA CGM in its announcement on Monday.
   “ANL’s extensive reach across Asia, ISC and North America coupled with SOFRANA’s in-depth knowledge of the Pacific islands will provide customers with a new level of service and routing options, all supported by the financial and operational strength of the CMA CGM Group,” the announcement noted.
   CMA CGM will combine the two regional groups into SOFRANA ANL. The acquisition is expected to be completed within the month, CMA CGM stated.