Hapag-Lloyd's port business, Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT), has purchased 60% of the shares in CNMP LH, which runs the Atlantique terminal at Le Havre.
HGT said the Seafrigo Group — which specializes in temperature-controlled food logistics — would continue to own the remaining 40% of the shares.
The parties, however, have agreed to not disclose any financial details of the transaction.
The terminal at the French gateway hosts the only Gemini service that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd deploy in LeHavre, the Europe Shuttle 6, which uses one 2,750 TEU vessel on a Rotterdam-Antwerp-Le Havre-Rotterdam route.
"By acquiring a majority stake in the CNMP LH terminal in Le Havre, we are strengthening our position in one of our core European markets. At the same time, we are continuing to expand our global terminal portfolio while paving the way for targeted investments to enhance efficiency," said Dheeraj Bhatia, chief executive officer of HGT.
Eric Barbé, president of Seafrigo Group, said the company is "very pleased" to have Hanseatic Global Terminals as a strong partner and that both companies will continue to modernize the CNMP LH terminal in Le Havre.
"This will significantly raise the profile of our joint terminal as an important gateway for container transports in the Port of Le Havre," he added.
The Hapag-Lloyd announcement noted that terminal and infrastructure investments represent a crucial component of Hanseatic Global Terminals' strategic agenda, aiming at further developing its portfolio to expand to more than 30 terminals by 2030.
Le Havre numbers among the 10 largest ports in Europe, is the most important port for sea transport to and from France with an annual container throughput of 3 million TEU, and offers excellent hinterland connections to Paris.
The container throughput of the CNMP LH terminal is expected to grow in the coming years – including in the attractive reefer container business.
HGT is a fully owned subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd, operating from Rotterdam. It manages a portfolio of stakes in 21 port terminals and complementary logistics services across 11 countries and five continents.
