HAMBURG SUD ACQUIRES ANDREW WEIR’s DEEP SEA LINER SHIPPING ARM

HAMBURG SUD ACQUIRES ANDREW WEIRÆS DEEP SEA LINER SHIPPING ARM    The German shipping group Hamburg Sud is acquiring the deep sea liner shipping arm of London-based Andrew Weir Shipping, including its North Europe/Mediterranean activities.
   The two shipping companies have agreed on the takeover of Andrew Weir’s Europe/ India/Pakistan, Europe/East Africa, Europe/Middle East, Europe/Red Sea and north Europe/Mediterranean container shipping activities, which has been marketed under the name Ellerman.
   The takeover does not include Andrew Weir’s Bank Line service to South Pacific islands, nor the company’s U.K./Iberia and U.K./Baltic short sea shipping arms.
   The terms of the transaction were not announced. The transfer of the operations is planned for Jan. 1.
   Hamburg Sud said that the acquired services will continue to be managed from London under the name Ellerman. The German group, which acquired numerous north/south carriers during the 1980s and 1990s, including Crowley American Transport and Alianca, said that its latest takeover will further “strengthen its position as a leading north/south carrier.”