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APL's intra-Asian business merging under CNC brand

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APL’s intra-Asian container shipping business is being merged under the CNC brand, but with the management of the Taiwan headquartered-line shifted to Singapore.

Under the plan announced this week 15 APL intra-Asia services will be consolidated with 50 CNC services in the region under the CNC name. Both companies are owned by CMA CGM and had remained separate following the acquisition of Singapore-headquartered APL by the French line in 2016. It acquired CNC in 2007.

APL said the management of the intra-Asian business would be consolidated in Singapore, with the existing regional sales and marketing channels of the two companies remaining. No timeline was given for the integration.

“This strategic move will enable us to become the Intra-Asia Champion with the most comprehensive market connectivity in the Far East. With complementary market footprints, the combined portfolio of services is set to shore-up our relevance in the economically-thriving Asia through the CNC brand ahead,” said Nicolas Sartini, ceo of APL.

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According to analyst Alphaliner it would make CNC the fourth largest intra-Asian carrier after Maersk’s Sealand Asia, Evergreen and Cosco Shipping.

There are plans to further grow the brand going forward including through acquisitions.

“We have ambitious volume targets and market development plans for Intra-Asia that we will seek organically and via strategic acquisitions,” Sartini said.