DUBAI global port operator DP World has acquired Unifeeder Group, a short sea container carrier headquartered in Denmark, from current owner Nordic Capital, the companies confirmed.
The EUR660 million (US$765.4 million) purchase will 'further enhance DP World's presence in the global supply chain and broaden our product offering to our customers - the shipping lines and cargo owners - with a view to ultimately reduce inefficiencies and improve the competitiveness of global trade', DP World said.
More specifically, the integration of Unifeeder gives DP World an entirely new line of business within the global supply chain. Founded in 1977, Unifeeder is the largest feeder vessel operator in Europe, carrying 3.2 million TEU annually to and from European ports in 60 short-term chartered ships.
According to Alphaliner, Unifeeder ranks as the 30th-largest container carrier in the world by operating fleet capacity. It also offers multimodal short sea services that combine maritime transport with overland door-to-door cargo delivery.
Unifeeder's 400 employees in 25 countries, the short-sea operator reported annual revenues of EUR510 million in 2017.
DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the acquisition 'supports our strategy to grow in complementary sectors, strengthen our product offering and play a wider role in the global supply chain as a trade enabler.
'The ever-growing deployment of ultra-large container vessels has made high-quality connectivity from hub terminals crucial for our customers, and Unifeeder is a best-in-class logistics provider in this space with a strong reputation in Europe,' he said.
Said Unifeeder CEO Jesper Kristensen: 'By having an owner as dedicated to customer-centric, multiuser solutions as the ones Unifeeder provides, we will continue to build 'best-in-class' services, coverage and connectivities'.
The EUR660 million (US$765.4 million) purchase will 'further enhance DP World's presence in the global supply chain and broaden our product offering to our customers - the shipping lines and cargo owners - with a view to ultimately reduce inefficiencies and improve the competitiveness of global trade', DP World said.
More specifically, the integration of Unifeeder gives DP World an entirely new line of business within the global supply chain. Founded in 1977, Unifeeder is the largest feeder vessel operator in Europe, carrying 3.2 million TEU annually to and from European ports in 60 short-term chartered ships.
According to Alphaliner, Unifeeder ranks as the 30th-largest container carrier in the world by operating fleet capacity. It also offers multimodal short sea services that combine maritime transport with overland door-to-door cargo delivery.
Unifeeder's 400 employees in 25 countries, the short-sea operator reported annual revenues of EUR510 million in 2017.
DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the acquisition 'supports our strategy to grow in complementary sectors, strengthen our product offering and play a wider role in the global supply chain as a trade enabler.
'The ever-growing deployment of ultra-large container vessels has made high-quality connectivity from hub terminals crucial for our customers, and Unifeeder is a best-in-class logistics provider in this space with a strong reputation in Europe,' he said.
Said Unifeeder CEO Jesper Kristensen: 'By having an owner as dedicated to customer-centric, multiuser solutions as the ones Unifeeder provides, we will continue to build 'best-in-class' services, coverage and connectivities'.