Freightliner completes acquisition by CMA CGM Group

Freightliner Ltd is pleased to announce the successful completion of its acquisition by the CMA CGM Group, a global player in shipping and logistics solutions. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for Freightliner and further reinforces its position as the leading intermodal rail freight operator in the United Kingdom.

 

This acquisition confirms the shared commitment from Freightliner and CMA CGM to building a stronger, more integrated and sustainable intermodal offering for the UK and for customers worldwide. Freightliner consists of 10 terminals, circa 1.4m rail slots and 2,000 wagons, and owns one of the largest fleets of electric locomotives in the UK.

 

As previously reported Freightliner will remain a standalone, multi-user, multi-customer intermodal service provider serving the UK Intermodal logistics market with a national sustainable network reducing thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions.

 

Heavy Haul Rail, previously part of The Freightliner Group, will operate independently remaining under the current shareholder ownership. This is the same for European businesses, Rotterdam Rail Feeding and Freightliner PL and DE, which will continue to operate independently from Freightliner Ltd – also remaining with current shareholder ownership.

 

CMA CGM has a strong presence in the United Kingdom with nearly 7,200 employees across its maritime, logistics, and inland services. The Group’s shipping agency employs 286 staff and operates 28 services connecting the UK with the rest of the world. In 2024, CMA CGM carried 802,000 TEUs to and from the UK. In intermodal transport, CMA CGM Group, through its subsidiary CCIS, transported 200,000 TEUs by rail and road between January and July 2025, confirming its role as a pioneer in decarbonized logistics. CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of the Group, employs 6,768 people across 103 sites. With 718,000 sqm of warehousing and consolidation capacity, as well as annual volumes of 33,800 tonnes in air freight and 69,400 TEUs in ocean freight, CEVA delivers integrated, end-to-end solutions, reinforcing the Group’s position as a major logistics player in the UK and across Europe.