News / Analysis: CMA CGM and AF-KLM – a strong signal to the market

© Jirapatch Iamkate

CMA CGM has clearly been busy behind the scenes for some time – highly secret negotiations with Air France-KLM went on for several months before yesterday’s big announcement, according to the two chief executives.

No doubt the French state – which owns a whopping 28.6% of the airline group – had its hand in the talks and, at the same time, of course, the French government was urging CMA CGM to buy Gefco in something of a fire sale; it being ...