It is not a week without an announcement is made on the arrival of a new group in negotiations to enter the capital of the shipowner in Marseille CMA CGM.

The Columbus, container giant CMA CGM, christened in Le Havre in July 2010. The owner slowly recovering its financial situation. © DR

After the funds of Qatar and the Belgian Albert Brothers is now the turn of Turkish family group Yildirim to be on the front of the media scene. The website Wansquare announced October 19, 2010, the signing of an agreement between the shipowner in Marseille and the Turkish group.

Still "speculation"

"That seems optimistic, we told a manager of financial communications for the owner. It is unlikely that an agreement be signed by the end of the week of Oct. 18."

On the other modalities of entry into the capital of the Turkish group, the communication of the shipowner in Marseille remains discreet information. According to the website from Turkey News, Yildirim group would participate in a 20% stake in the owner by providing $ 500 million. The payment would be effective at the end of November 2010. "The speculation", continues the direction of the owner.

The ISP in limbo

This renewed interest in the Marseille group falls within a period of recovery of the global container shipping. Freight rates on major roads East West rebounded and the trade volume is also up before the season end of the year still more important. A boon to attract creditors in an area often overlooked.

It remains an issue to be determined more precisely: what position to adopt the ISP (Strategic Investment Fund, an offshoot of the Deposit and Consignment) on this issue? Designed to help French companies to avoid a dilution of international capital, this fund was introduced first on the list of potential saviors. Now that the bulk of the storm passed, it seems that his position is less clear. His entry would still be valid but could be done a second time. The ISP would await the arrival of a creditor supported by banks to determine how much it will take a stake in the group CMA CGM.

According to relatives of the case, the announcement of the entry of a partner in the capital of CMA CGM would not be announced until early November 2010, "even if the agreement is signed upstream.

The group Yildirim

Created by the family Yildirim, the group was originally mainly a trading company of construction materials. In the late 1980s, when the second generation is coming into power, he began to grow into new areas.

Today, the group Yildirim is present on several fronts: the trading of coal, fertilizer and mining. In 2000, he decided to focus its interest on shipping. He created Yilmar Shipping and Trading, brokerage, agency, consignment and ship management. Four years later he took the management of Turkish ports and Sedefport Alemdarport in Izmit Bay, regroup under the name Yilport Container Terminal and Port Operator Inc.. The goal is to make this port the main container terminal in Turkey. Finally, the group took over in 2006 the activities of Marmara Shipyard site.

Shipowners, port operators and shipyards, many coincidences with CMA CGM.