The transfer of ownership of Mercosul Line from Maersk Line to CMA CGM. (Maritime Freighting Company-General Maritime Company), was completed on Friday. Mercosul is a leading player in Brazil's domestic container shipping market, with a fleet of four container vessels and around 290 people employed.
France's CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping firm, reported a first-quarter net loss and targeted US$1 billion in cost cuts to keep operating margins positive during the current market downturn. Weak freight rates in the past year have left many lines operating at a loss.