CMA CGM has officially acquired Moroccan maritime shipping company Comanav, following publication of the privatisation order signed by Prime Minister Driss Jettou.

The company was officially transferred in May 2007 in a ceremony held in the capital Rabat, led by Fathallah Oualalou, Finance and Privatisation Minister, along with Jacques R. Saade, chairman of CMA CGM.

Created in 1946, Comanav is Morocco's leader in transporting freight and passengers and managing port operations.

Comanav has developed strong market positions in each of its three main sectors of activity:

1) Maritime transport of goods with regularly scheduled services provided by a fleet of vessels deployed in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, mainly for container, ro/ro and conventional cargo;

2) Port activities through its presence at the Tanger-Med terminal and as part of Somaport, which operates two terminals in the port of Casablanca;

3) Passenger transport with five lines operating between Morocco and Europe, and a fleet of nine car ferries. With annual traffic totalling 800,000 passengers, Comanav is Morocco's undisputed leader in passenger transport.

This transaction will enable CMA CGM to strengthen its position in shipping lines and port activities in Morocco. Withthe acquisition of a company in this region, CMA CGM gains a geographic advantage, putting it in a position to offer CMA CGM and Comanav customers more comprehensive cargo services between Morocco and Europe and enhanced passenger services on the Mediterranean.

CMA CGM has been present in Morocco for over 20 years and operates five weekly container shipping services from/to ports in North Europe (Le Havre, Antwerp, Rouen, Dunkirk and Rotterdam), the Mediterranean (Marseilles, Malta) and the ports of Agadir, Casablanca and Tangier.

The group has also invested in port operations in Casablanca and Tangier.