The French CMA CGM Group is expanding its presence in the logistics market for North Africa and the Middle East by acquiring all shares in the Fattal Group.
Although the transaction is still subject to the usual regulatory approvals, it is expected to be completed “in the third quarter of 2026”, as CMA CGM confirmed.
The French group, known primarily for its activities in container shipping, the terminal business and the RoRo market, itself has Lebanese roots and is now acquiring a company headquartered in Beirut. The Fattal Group sees itself as a logistics distributor and is active in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Egypt as well as in France and Cyprus.
CEO Rodolphe Saadé called the acquisition “an important milestone on our way to becoming the global market leader for comprehensive logistics and supply chain solutions”. By integrating Fattal’s distribution platform, the French company aims to strengthen its own expertise in the downstream sector and move closer to end markets and consumers. “Together, we will combine our strengths to generate growth and deepen our presence in the fast-growing MENA markets. This transaction also underlines our continued confidence in Lebanon and our commitment to its long-term development,” said the CEO.
For the CMA-CGM Group, the acquisition of Fattal follows a series of structural transactions last year. These include, among others:
The French are putting some crucial items on the books for 2025, including:
- $2.5 billion to further expand its portfolio of 66 terminals in 40 countries
- In Asia, a partnership was entered into to develop a deep-water terminal in Hai Phong (Vietnam), in parallel with a project for 100% electrically powered barges in Cai Mep.
- In Latin America, the Group completed the acquisition of Santos Brasil in December and now holds 100% of the shares in South America’s largest container terminal in the port of Santos.
- In the Middle East, a letter of intent was signed for the development and operation of the Group’s first container terminal in Saudi Arabia: Terminal 4 in the port of Jeddah. This will increase the target capacity to 2.6 million TEU.
- In the United Arab Emirates, the expansion will increase the capacity of the terminal in the port of Khalifa by 50% from 1.8 to 2.7 million TEU.
- In Egypt, CMA CGM acquired a 35% stake in October Dry Port, a strategic logistics and rail platform, and further expanded its regional port positions.
- In Europe, CMA CGM signed an agreement to acquire a 20 percent stake in the Eurogate terminal in Hamburg. This will increase its capacity from 4 to 6 million TEU.
- In April, the consortium led by CMA CGM (67%) launched a 30-year concession to operate the Port Édouard Herriot container terminal, now the Lyon Rhône Terminal. The aim is to develop the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône corridor, including a project for electric inland waterway transport. Decarbonized multimodal transport volumes in Lyon are to be doubled by 2030.
- In December 2025, CMA-CGM subsidiary CEVA Logistics signed an agreement to acquire the Fagioli Group, a global specialist in project logistics and heavy lift transportation.
- In 2025, the Group acquired Air Belgium, which is now integrated into its own airfreight division. It operates eight cargo aircraft under the CMA CGM AIR CARGO and Air Belgium brands.
