Container terminal in Teesport

Containerships has assured staff and customers that it is business as usual after the announcement it is to merge with French shipping giant CMA CGM.

Under the deal, the French carrier will acquire Containership’s shipping, harbour and terminal holdings. It will also merge Containerships’ services with those of its short sea subsidiary MacAndrews.

The merger is subject to the approval of the European competition authorities which could take up to six months.

CMA CGM is the 3rd biggest container shipping line in the world with revenue of €15.3bn (£13.5bn).

Containerships, which has its headquarters in Helsinki, has a UK office in Teesport from which it operates around 120 trucks and 170 trailers.

Announcing the proposed merger Containerships said: “At present, the restructuring does not have any impacts on Containerships’ brand or operations. (The) company continues (to be) committed to provide industry’s best customer experience as well as to further develop its routes and services.”

It added: “Containerships also continues to execute its environmentally-friendly LNG strategy as planned.”

The company recently boosted its UK fleet with 40 LNG fuelled trucks and also runs a number of LNG fuelled vessels.

Image: PA Images

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