Economy of the port of Hamburg
Eurogate Terminal: The world’s third largest shipping company merges
November 13, 2025 – 12:07 pmReading time: 1 minute.
The third largest shipping company in the world wants to acquire a 20 percent stake in the Hamburg Eurogate terminal. France also wanted to help finance western expansion plans.
French shipping company CMA CGM has signed a framework agreement for entry into the port of Hamburg. The company wants to acquire a 20 percent stake in the Eurogate terminal, the two companies announced.
The strategic partnership also includes co-financing the planned expansion of the western terminal at Waltershofer Hafen. Further details and a legally binding contract are still being negotiated. Several media have previously reported this.
The agreement also requires approval from the respective committees and authorities. Thomas Eckelmann, Eurokai boss, and his son Tom Eckelmann, co-chairman of Eurogate management, described the agreement as a “historic milestone”. They explained: “We have had a very long friendship with the family of CMA CGM owner Rodolphe Saadé and have been talking about a closer partnership since 2023.”
This year, by signing the project and lease agreement for the western expansion on July 4, they were also able to establish long-term planning security at the Hamburg site.
CMA CGM is currently the third largest shipping company in the world. It wasn’t until 2024 that the world’s largest container shipping company MSC of Switzerland merged with Hamburg port logistics company HHLA. City-run HHLA operates container terminals in Hamburg and other European countries.
