CMA CGM poised for $600m resale deal for nine container ships

France’s CMA CGM is splashing out $594m on nine resale container ship newbuildings under construction at shipyards in South Korea and China.

Market sources said the cash-rich liner giant is in advanced talks with Belgian owner Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) about acquiring six 6,000-teu ships, and an unnamed owner for three 1,800-teu vessels.

Sources said the 6,000-teu newbuildings are under construction at China’s Qingdao Yangfan Shipbuilding, while the 1,800-teu ships are being built by Ulsan-based Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD).