CMA CGM announced the acquisition of Freightliner UK Intermodal Logistics, a rail freight operator in the United Kingdom. The deal covers rail and road operations, inland terminals, and the Freightliner brand.
Other Freightliner businesses – Heavy Haul, Rotterdam Rail Feeding, and Freightliner /Germany – are not part of the transaction and will remain under current ownership.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. According to CMA CGM, Freightliner will continue operating as a multi-user, multi-customer standalone business, run by existing teams.
The group emphasized that the acquisition is intended to strengthen intermodal services in Europe, expand lower-carbon transport solutions, and support the shift from road to rail as part of supply chain decarbonization.
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, said: “The acquisition of Freightliner, a leading rail freight operator, strengthens our intermodal presence in the United Kingdom, a strategic market for CMA CGM. It enables us to connect sea, rail and road more efficiently, delivering better solutions for our customers. It is also a concrete step in expanding lower-carbon transport options, supporting both their needs and the decarbonization of global trade.”
Tim Shoveller, CEO of Freightliner Group, commented: “This transaction marks an exciting new chapter for Intermodal and Heavy Haul, allowing each to focus on their distinct markets under separate ownership. The Intermodal business will become a stand-alone business within CMA CGM’s portfolio, with opportunities to collaborate with other arm’s length CMA CGM companies. Heavy Haul will continue its growth journey in the bulk materials sector under a new brand with a clear focus on strengthening its position as a key freight operator. Our customers will continue to receive the same high-quality leadership and operational teams, and we have robust plans in place to ensure a smooth transition of ownership.”
The companies stated that Freightliner’s integration will create opportunities for combined rail, maritime, and road offerings, and for developing decarbonized logistics solutions.
CMA CGM operates globally and is headquartered in Marseille, France. Its subsidiaries include CEVA Logistics and CCIS.
Freightliner is a rail freight operator incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company provides intermodal transport services, connecting ports with inland terminals. It operates as part of the Freightliner Group, which also includes businesses in heavy haul and European rail freight.
