The A.P. Moller/Maersk Group confirms the announcement by South African Marine Corporation Limited (Safmarine) that agreement has been reached regarding acquisition of Safmarine Container Lines (SCL) and its related liner activities. The purchase is subject to “due diligence”, final agreement and approvals from the authorities.


The total price agreed is USD 240 million.


Safmarine Container Lines operates approximately 50 vessels and about 80,000 containers. Safmarine Container Lines’ network, covering a total of 10 trades, complements Maersk Line’s existing network.


Safmarine Container Lines will join the A.P. Moller/Maersk Group as an independent unit with its own liner activities – marketed under the existing names, Safmarine, SCL, CMBT and Safbank etc. – and represented by its own agency network.


In order to offer customers improved geographic coverage and transit times, Maersk Line and Safmarine Container Lines envisage to co-ordinate their respective liner network.