As industry consolidation accelerates, historic maritime brands like MacAndrews fade into history while new strategies emerge.
The maritime industry is undergoing a quiet revolution. CMA CGM, the French container transportation giant, recently announced the consolidation of its two European short-sea shipping subsidiaries. Starting April 1, 2019, both Containerships and MacAndrews will operate under the single Containerships brand, marking the disappearance of another historic shipping name from the industry landscape.
Shipping Consolidation: An Industry-Wide Trend
This merger reflects broader patterns transforming global shipping. Evolving trade dynamics demand greater operational efficiency and service capabilities, while fierce competition drives companies toward mergers and acquisitions to optimize resources. CMA CGM's consolidation represents just one example of this sector-wide realignment.
Containerships: Europe's Multimodal Specialist
Acquired by CMA CGM in 2018, Containerships specializes in European intra-regional logistics. The company offers comprehensive services across multiple transport modes—vessels, trucks, trains, and barges—serving markets from the Baltic to Russia, North Africa, and Turkey. Its strength lies in flexible multimodal solutions tailored to client needs.
MacAndrews: A 250-Year Legacy Ends
Founded in 1770, MacAndrews ranked among Europe's oldest shipping firms before joining CMA CGM in 2002. Following its 2018 merger with OPDR, the company connected Northern and Central Europe with Iberia, the Canary Islands, and Morocco. Its disappearance marks the end of an era in European maritime history.
Strategic Rationale Behind the Merger
CMA CGM's consolidation involves more than brand simplification:
• European Leadership: Combining these specialists creates a dominant intra-Europe brand with complementary regional networks and integrated sea-land solutions.
• Operational Synergies: Unified operations promise cost reductions and service improvements through concentrated resources.
• Enhanced Coverage: The merger enables customized regional services and end-to-end logistics solutions.
The Green Shipping Revolution
Environmental commitments accompany this restructuring. Containerships recently deployed the CONTAINERSHIPS NORD , its first LNG-powered vessel, supported by LNG-fueled trucks. By 2020, CMA CGM will integrate nine 22,000-TEU LNG container ships.
LNG technology reduces sulfur emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxides by 85%, and CO₂ by 25% compared to traditional fuels—a critical advantage as environmental regulations tighten.
OPDR: The Forgotten Partner?
While MacAndrews' 2018 merger with OPDR (a 130-year-old firm serving Northern Europe and North Africa) brought additional capabilities, the OPDR name disappears in this latest consolidation, though its operations continue within the new structure.
An Industry in Flux
CMA CGM's move exemplifies accelerating transformation in global shipping. As economic shifts and environmental pressures reshape the sector, companies must innovate or risk obsolescence. The future promises both disruption and opportunity as maritime firms navigate these uncharted waters.