Merger Mania

Deutsche Bahn pondering a sale of DB Schenker?

Heavily indebted German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is reportedly considering offloading its logistics subsidiary, DB Schenker. VerkehrsRundschau, citing sources, claims the sale has been speculated for some months – although last week, Reuters said a company report indicated it would only be looking to sell a minority stake – after DB’s overall debt exceeded €19.5bn. For some, the news may seem surprising, given that Schenker has brought home the bacon for …

The post Deutsche Bahn pondering a...

https://theloadstar.com/deutsche-bahn-pondering-a-sale-of-db-schenker/

South Korean carriers SinoKor and Heung-A to merge container operations

The next round of rationalisation of South Korea’s container shipping sector is under way as carriers SinoKor Merchant Marine and Heung-A Shipping merge their box operations.
The move is part of the government-directed Korea Shipping Partnership, which the country’s maritime companies signed in the aftermath of the Hanjin bankruptcy.
The cooperation will reportedly begin today, with a full operational merger completed by October.
According to Alphaliner data, SinoKor is the world’s 23rd-largest...

https://theloadstar.com/south-korean-carriers-sinokor-and-heung-a-to-merge-container-operations/

Another box line bankruptcy looming as IMO 2020 costs mount up?

Rising demand and improved freight rates in the second half of last year enabled ocean carriers to return a consolidated profit of $1.5bn for the year, according to Drewry’s latest Container Forecaster report.
With all the major carriers that publish their financial results now having reported, the container lines were able to turnaround a deficit of some $2.2bn in the first two quarters into a positive full-year result.
However, it will only …

The post Another box line bankruptcy looming as IMO...

https://theloadstar.com/another-box-line-bankruptcy-looming-as-imo-2020-costs-mount-up/

Analysis: takeover means ‘a great deal’ to Panalpina; has DSV weighed the risks?

There were two hot topics for debate on Monday for those lucky enough to be on the DSV/Panalpina takeover conference call: hard synergy targets; and what, specifically, the Sfr4.7bn deal would mean for PAN employees.
On both counts, disillusion swiftly ensued, as soon as the Q&A session started.
Pleased with that?
The performance of the DSV executive team on the call to financial analysts was hardly pleasing – although, admittedly, given the usual …

The post Analysis: takeover means ‘a great...

https://theloadstar.com/analysis-takeover-means-a-great-deal-to-panalpina-has-dsv-weighed-the-risks/

DSV wins the battle to take over Panalpina in $4.72bn deal

Denmark’s DSV and Switzerland’s Panalpina announced today they had “agreed to join forces”, in a deal that values Panalpina at about Sfr4.7bn ($4.72bn), excluding debt considerations. It is effectively a takeover of the latter by the former, where significant cost savings will be targeted.
This is the largest deal in the transport and logistics industry since Japan Post acquired Toll Group four years ago for $5.1bn – and now Toll could …

The post DSV wins the battle to take over Panalpina in...

https://theloadstar.com/dsv-wins-the-battle-to-take-over-panalpina-in-4-72bn-deal/

Rhenus snaps up two forwarders as it spreads its global footprint

Germany’s Rhenus Group is in acquisitive mode – which will no doubt itself attract interest from the increasingly M&A-focused logistics market. 
This week the company snapped up not one, but two forwarders, strengthening its global network. 
Today, it announced it had acquired South Africa’s World Net Logistics, which not only has operations in Africa but also Germany, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. 
World Net Logistics offers air freight between South Africa and...

https://theloadstar.com/rhenus-snaps-up-two-forwarders-as-it-widens-its-global-footprint/

CMA CGM set to take full control of Ceva as it eyes end-to-end services

CMA CGM is shortly to find out what it really means to run a 3PL. 
According to a statement this morning, the French shipping line will soon own close to 100% of the forwarder, which would then de-list from the SIX Swiss stock exchange.
After CMA CGM’s tender offer closes on April 16, it could own...

https://theloadstar.com/cma-cgm-set-to-take-full-control-of-ceva-as-it-eyes-end-to-end-services/

Supply chain radar: CMA CGM + Ceva + Geodis – the endgame

A likely French revolution in global logistics has put my brain in motion lately, given a number of domestic scenarios I’ve drafted that not only are compelling on paper, but also make a lot of sense in strategic and politic terms – and one stands above all: CMA CGM + Ceva Logistics + Geodis.
Give it time, it could well be the endgame. Here’s why.
SNCF 
Parent rail company SNCF Mobilités Group (SNCF), …

The post Supply chain radar: CMA CGM + Ceva + Geodis – the endgame appeared first on The...

https://theloadstar.com/supply-chain-radar-cma-cgm-ceva-geodis-the-endgame/

CMA CGM unveils billion-dollar cost-cutting plan as profits tumble

CMA CGM is to attempt to shave $1.2bn off its costs as it consolidates its position following acquisitions.
The French carrier announced the plan as it revealed its 2018 results, which saw record revenues of $23.48bn, up 11.2%.
This, however, translated into a pre-tax profit of $167.7m, down from $800.7m a year earlier.
Operating expenses rose from $18.9bn to $22.3bn, while core ebit was $610.4m, down from $1.57bn, following a 33% increase in …

The post CMA CGM unveils billion-dollar...

https://theloadstar.com/cma-cgm-unveils-billion-dollar-cost-cutting-plan-as-profits-tumble/

Market Insight: The DSV/Panalpina show must go on – is a deal now ‘almost a certainty’?

Late afternoon on Monday, a London-based broker, Mr Arbitrageur, got in touch.
“Any ideas what this means?”
(See the press release below)

“Have been trying to figure it out myself,” I replied, although I had barely noticed it, as I was seriously busy working on another $20bn-plus piecemeal deal that could make a lot of sense.
“It indicates they [Panalpina] want to improve governance and proceed as a standalone entity? Who knows.”
Strange, I thought, that …

The post Market Insight: The...

https://theloadstar.com/market-insight-the-dsv-panalpina-show-must-go-on-is-a-deal-now-almost-a-certainty/

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