CMA CGM has bared plans to acquire 30% of Groupe Dubreuil Aéro, signaling the container shipping company’s entry into the air transport sector.
The French shipping company in a statement on September 23 announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the French airline group.
The partnership will enable the two parties to combine their entrepreneurial experience and consolidate their key positions in high-potential products and services, said the statement.
CMA CGM’s investment is a combination of a subscription to a capital increase in the amount of EUR50 million and the acquisition of shares. This operation is still subject to approval by the competition authorities in France, French Polynesia and Austria as well as authorization from the French Ministry of Economy and Finances.
At the end of this procedure, CMA CGM will own 30% of Groupe Dubreuil Aéro and will designate two representatives at the airline’s Board of Directors.
Groupe Dubreuil is a shareholder of the Air Caraïbes and French Bee companies. The two companies have modern fleets totaling 14 long-haul aircraft, including eight Airbus A350s, which are capable of transporting, in addition to passengers and luggage, between 15 tonnes and 25 tonnes of freight.
CMA CGM said it will provide its logistics expertise to help develop Groupe Dubreuil Aéro cargo activity, notably through Hi Line Cargo, a subsidiary tasked to distribute freight on Air Caraïbes and French Bee aircraft.
Since Orly airport in France reopened on June 26, Air Caraïbes and French Bee have refocused their routes on French overseas markets. Groupe Dubreuil Aéro and CMA CGM are both already present in these markets, which they plan to further develop.
Through their cooperation, CMA CGM said it will be able to offer its clients services that complement ocean freight, while keeping a hold on the transport chain in the markets served by both groups.
“The acquisition of this stake will enable the CMA CGM Group to strengthen its position in airfreight. We will bring to Groupe Dubreuil Aéro all our expertise in the transport of goods in ultra-marine territories,” said the statement.
Photo by Pedro Aragão
