French shipping giant CMA CGM has entered the UK rail freight market. They have acquired Freightliner’s intermodal operations. The move brings a nationwide network of trains and terminals under the group’s control. The overseas interest has been welcomed as a major investment in UK rail logistics.
The deal, announced on 22 September, includes Freightliner’s rail and road operations, inland terminals, and the Freightliner brand. It is expected to be completed in early 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Other Freightliner divisions – Heavy Haul, Rotterdam Rail Feeding, Poland and Germany operations – remain with existing owners.
Industry and regulatory reaction
CMA CGM had shown interest in Freightliner earlier this year. However, no deal was reached at the time. The renewed purchase, reported by RailFreight.com on Monday, has surprised much of the market. It has been widely welcomed within the rail freight sector. Britain’s Rail Freight Group, the industry representative body, quickly issued a statement of support. “It is good to see this significant investment in UK rail freight,” said Director General Maggie Simpson, OBE. “It is a sign of confidence in intermodal rail growth. We look forward to seeing more details in the coming weeks.”
No UK government ministry has publicly commented. Nevertheless, the sale will likely come under scrutiny by the Competition and Markets Authority. It will also attract the attention of the Office of Rail and Road and the Department for Transport. Both parties have acknowledged that the sale will not finalise before early 2026.
History has been there, done that
The size of the acquisition has not been disclosed. CMA did tell some French media that “the revenue for Freightliner’s activity in the scope acquired by CMA CGM is about GBP300 million” (about €344 million). The Marseille-based group operates 60 port terminals in 30 countries across five continents, either independently or in joint ventures.
Although unique in scope, the concept of intermodal consolidation is not new, even in the UK market. For example, road and rail logistics firm Maritime Transport is a part of MEDLOG, a subsidiary of a rival shipping concern, MSC. Several port operators – including Associated British Ports (ABP) and DP World, and privately owned Port of Middlesbrough – have onshore logistics capabilities extending into the rail freight sector. Historically, almost all freight operations in the UK were centrally managed by the government’s (now defunct) British Transport Commission.
Freightliner’s future with CMA CGM
In a letter to staff, Freightliner Group CEO Tim Shoveller explained the rationale behind selling its Intermodal Logistics (IML) division. He noted that CMA CGM had previously been interested but had stepped back due to other global commitments. “Since then, CMA CGM reapproached our shareholders with an offer reflecting the value of our IML business, which has now been agreed,” he wrote.
Shoveller confirmed that other divisions – Heavy Haul, Rotterdam Rail Feeding, and European operations – will remain under the current shareholders, Brookfield and GIC. Heavy Haul will continue to grow in bulk materials markets as an independent company, generating around £150 million (€178m) in annual revenue.
Ambitions for intermodal growth
Freightliner’s intermodal business, under CMA CGM, could see rapid growth. If CMA CGM converts a significant proportion of its shipping container inland haulage to rail, it could help achieve Freightliner’s long-standing target of trebling intermodal traffic by 2050, potentially reaching up to 90 trains per day.
Despite intermodal making up about 40 per cent of UK rail freight (see latest figures here), rail still accounts for only roughly ten per cent of total goods traffic, with most freight carried by road. This highlights substantial potential for growth, particularly in supporting net-zero targets and shifting freight from road to rail. An aggressive new player in the rail freight scene could shift these metrics significantly.
Delivering integrated solutions
CMA CGM is already a major UK logistics employer. They had nearly 7,200 staff before the purchase, and the acquisition strengthens its intermodal presence. “The acquisition of Freightliner, a leading rail freight operator, strengthens our intermodal presence in the United Kingdom, a strategic market for CMA CGM,” said Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO. “It enables us to connect sea, rail and road more efficiently, delivering better solutions for our customers. It is also a concrete step in expanding lower-carbon transport options, supporting both their needs and the decarbonisation of global trade.”
The company told French media that the revenue for Freightliner’s activity within the acquisition scope is around £300 million (€344 million). An actual figure for the deal has not been released. CMA CGM operates 60 port terminals in 30 countries across five continents, either independently or via joint ventures, now complemented by the UK’s intermodal rail network.