BOLLORE/DELMAS GROUP TO ACQUIRE OT AFRICA LINE

   France’s Bollore group, the parent company of Delmas, will acquire OT Africa Line, the London-based niche carrier specialized in West Africa.
   Delmas and OT Africa are two of the three largest carriers in the Europe/West Africa trade, the third one being the Maersk/Safmarine group.
   Under the proposed deal, Bollore Group will also take over OT Africa Line’s landside network in Africa.
   OT Africa Line’s presence in English-speaking West African countries will reinforce the position of Delmas in the Europe-Africa trade.
   OT Africa Line will remain independent from Delmas, although potential economies of scale concerning ships and containers may be sought, a spokesman for OT Africa Line said.
   The takeover of OT Africa Line by Delmas follows the recent acquisition by Maersk Line of Safmarine Container Lines, which turned the Maersk group into the largest liner operator in the African trades.