CMA CGM-LED CONSORTIUM NAMED TO RUN NEW FOS TERMINAL

CMA CGM-LED CONSORTIUM NAMED TO RUN NEW FOS TERMINAL    A consortium comprising the French shipping line CMA CGM, the stevedores Egis Port and rail operators Compagnie Nouvelle de Conteneurs and Inter-Ferry Boats, was named by the Port of Marseilles Authority as the sole bidder that qualified to operate the future Fos 2XL container terminal in Marseilles-Fos.
   The port authority announced that negotiations on the operating concession at its planned Fos 2XL container terminal have opened with the CMA CGM-led consortium.
   The port authority ruled out two other bidders, saying that they did not have the potential to meet performance objectives.
   CMA CGM is the largest container carrier in the port of Marseilles-Fos.
   The port aims to finalize the operating agreement for the terminal by the end of this year. Construction is scheduled to start next year, with the terminal opening in mid-2005.