CMA CGM says it has officially acquired Moroccan maritime shipping company Comanav. This comes after the privatisation order signed by Prime Minister Driss Jettou was published.

Founded in 1946, Comanav transports container freight, ro/ro and conventional cargo over the Atlantic-Mediterranean trade route. It also manages port operations at the Tanger-Med terminal, and is a part of Somaport, which operates two terminals in the port of Casablanca.



This acquisition is expected to enable CMA CGM to strengthen its position in the Moroccan market, as the French shipping group said in a statement it will be able to offer customers more comprehensive cargo services between Morocco and Europe.



CMA CGM has been present in Morocco for over 20 years and operates five weekly container shipping services to and from the northern European ports of Le Havre, Antwerp, Rouen, Dunkirk and Rotterdam; the Mediterranean ports of Marseilles and Malta as well as the ports of Agadir, Casablanca and Tangier.



Comanav reported a turnover of US$200 million for 2006 when the company carried 60,000 TEU, 200,000 tons of freight, and 45,000 ro/ro units. Its fleet comprises 16 ships, 11 of which are owned. Comanav employs 2,800 worldwide.