Following its announcement in September last year, multinational shipping and logistics company, the CMA CGM Group, has completed its acquisition of UK freight operator Freightliner Ltd.

While headquartered in France and operating in around 160 countries, CMA CGM already has a significant presence in the UK, where it employs more than 7,200 workers. 286 staff work for its shipping agency, and it operates 28 services which connect the UK with the rest of the world.

Its subsidiary CEVA Logistics employs 6,768 workers at 103 sites.

Freightliner sees its acquisition by the CMA CGM Group as “the beginning of a new chapter” which “further reinforces its position as the leading intermodal rail freight operator in the United Kingdom”. Freightliner has ten terminals, around 1.4m rail slots and two thousand wagons. It owns one of the UK’s largest fleets of electric locomotives.

In December, Freightliner operated the first hydrogen-loaded train on Britain’s rail network.

Rail freight is not included in the government’s renationalisation plans, and so remains in the private sector.

Freightliner and CMA CGM say that they share a commitment to developing a logistics service for clients in the UK and around the world that is stronger, more integrated and sustainable.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Freightliner will continue to operate as a service provider with its own distinct identity.

Other parts of the Freightliner Group are not included in the acquisition. Heavy Haul Rail will run independently under its current shareholder ownership, as will the European businesses, Rotterdam Rail Feeding and Freightliner PL and DE.

“We are incredibly pleased to announce our acquisition by CMA CGM. Becoming part of a global group of this scale gives Freightliner the means to accelerate its development and strengthen its role at the heart of UK intermodal logistics. By combining our deep UK rail expertise with CMA CGM’s maritime reach and global logistics capabilities, we are building a more resilient, integrated and future-ready supply chain for our customers. Our team will continue to operate with the same autonomy, professionalism and reliability that Freightliner customers trust, now supported by the long-term vision and resources of a world-class logistics group.”

Chris Lawreson, Managing Director, Freightliner