The outlines of the purchase of La Méridionale by the shipowner CGA CGM were presented, this Monday, February 13, during a social and economic council of the blue boat company in Marseille. A sale that seems already well advanced.
The executive of La Méridionale was almost complete, this Monday, February 13, in Marseille. All participated in a social and economic council, including the CEO of the group StefStanislas Lemorthe sole shareholder of the shipowner.
On today’s agenda : the planned sale of La Méridionale to the CMA CGMthe world’s third-largest freight transport company and new buyer in Provence and Corsica Matin.
According to information that leaked from the meeting, discussions between the group Stef and the CMA CGM are largely under way. For the shareholder, this sale is the best solution for the company.
Beyond the reassuring financial aspect, this position is not shared by the unions. « This leaves room for many concerns on the social side. CGA day CGM is not used to fitting out its ships with French sailors and under conditions similar to ours. We will also have to see the intentions of this large group, I would even say this giant, towards Corsica and the Corsicans “, estimated Marc-Aurele OrsonsSTC representative of La Méridionale. The union has already filed a strike notice for February 25.
It therefore remains to find the final agreements to set a sale price which has not been announced in the CSE. Condition sine via no to the transaction: the takeover by the CMA CGM of the debt of the Southern estimated around 200 million euros.
Because the shipping company is in a delicate economic situation. If she won the tender for the Porto-Vecchio service, then Ajaccio with the Corsica Line under the new Public Service Delegation, it had to abandon the line Barcelona-Tangier at the beginning of the month.
The CMA CGM has recorded, over the past two years, profits record with 17 billion euros in profit in 2021. In the event of a purchase, the Marseille shipowner would return to the passenger transport sector. A first for almost 10 years.
The CMA CGM should announce the purchase of La Méridionale during a social and economic council in the coming days.
