France’s largest shipping line and port operator, CMA CGM, has announced the acquisition of a 48% stake in Santos Brasil, a leading multi-terminal operator in Brazil. Santos Brasil operates eight facilities across the country, specialising in container, liquid, and vehicle handling, as well as logistics services. Its flagship asset is the Tecon Santos container terminal, located in the State of São Paulo.
CMA CGM also revealed plans to launch a public offer for the remaining shares of Santos Brasil in the coming months. This acquisition marks a significant expansion of CMA CGM’s presence in Brazil, further strengthening its position as a global terminal operator.
Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of CMA CGM Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating: “I am pleased that the CMA CGM Group has concluded this strategic agreement for the acquisition of Santos Brasil, which operates five terminals in Brazil, including the largest container terminal in the Port of Santos, handling 40% of Brazilian volumes, as well as a logistics company. This investment reflects our commitment to strengthening our partnership with Brazil and supporting its growth in the coming years.”
Santos Brasil manages a diverse portfolio of eight facilities along Brazil’s coast, including three container terminals, a vehicle terminal, a liquid bulk terminal, and three logistics hubs located in key ports such as Santos, Imbituba, Vila do Conde, and Itaqui, as well as in São Paulo.
The Tecon Santos terminal, the largest container terminal in South America, is a crucial asset in this acquisition. It boasts a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs, expandable to 3.0 million TEUs, and has three berths capable of accommodating 14,000 TEU vessels. With a long-term concession agreement running until 2047, Tecon Santos is renowned for its efficiency and productivity.
CMA CGM has been operating in Brazil for over 20 years, with eight offices throughout the country. The Group has expanded both organically and through strategic acquisitions, including the 2017 purchase of Mercosul Line, a historic Brazilian shipping company.
Mercosul Line is central to CMA CGM’s operations in Brazil, providing coastal shipping and intermodal solutions. Together, CMA CGM and Mercosul Line operate 10 weekly mainline services at 14 Brazilian ports, connecting the country to major global markets. Additionally, CMA CGM is deploying LNG-powered vessels to Brazil as part of its commitment to sustainable shipping solutions.
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