Global shipping and logistics leader CMA CGM Group has officially completed its acquisition of Freightliner Ltd, a leading UK intermodal rail freight operator, marking a major step in expanding its integrated logistics capabilities.
The deal, first announced in September 2025 and now closed in early 2026 following regulatory approvals, brings Freightliner’s core intermodal and logistics business under CMA CGM’s umbrella while maintaining Freightliner as a standalone, multi-user service provider in the UK market.
Freightliner’s operations include 10 terminals, approximately 1.4 million rail slots and a fleet of roughly 2,000 wagons, including one of the UK’s largest electric locomotive fleets. The specialist rail network enhances CMA CGM’s ability to offer more sustainable, intermodal transport solutions connecting maritime, rail and road freight services.
Under the terms of the acquisition, certain parts of the former Freightliner Group — such as Heavy Haul Rail and European businesses including Rotterdam Rail Feeding and Freightliner’s Polish and German outfits — are remaining independent and outside the scope of the transaction.
Industry analysts view the completed acquisition as a strategic move by CMA CGM to strengthen its logistics and intermodal footprint across Europe, facilitating more robust service offerings for customers seeking integrated supply chain solutions and contributing to modal shifts toward lower-emission rail transport.
The addition of Freightliner’s network is expected to support CMA CGM’s broader ambitions of enhancing connectivity between ports and inland hubs, improving transit efficiency and reducing carbon emissions across freight corridors.
