Sufficient to trigger an earthquake on the African continent if this operation goes to an finish. In accordance with corroborating sources, the Bolloré group is finding out the sale of its logistics actions in Africa, one in every of its historic companies, the results of Vincent Bolloré’s first acquisitions greater than thirty years in the past. A pole which was for a very long time the “money cow” of the businessman, serving to him to finance his raids and different conquests.
The Morgan Stanley funding financial institution was tasked with discreetly surveying the curiosity of potential consumers, specifically the massive names in transport. The French CMA CGM examines the case, in addition to the Danish Maersk. The port operator Dubai Ports World and the Chinese language Cosco Transport, supervisor of the Greek port of Piraeus, may additionally be part of the ranks. Whereas massive non-public fairness funds like Ardian or KKR are stuffed with capital, most of them are restricted, by their standing, of their potential to spend money on rising international locations. When questioned, the group declined to remark.
In Africa, the place it employs 20,800 folks, “Bolloré is current in 42 ports as operator of port terminals, agent of transport strains and even handler of non-containerized items. It primarily manages 16 container terminals in Central and West Africa, 7 roll-on / roll-off terminals [“roule pour entrer”, “roule pour sortir”], three rail concessions, warehouses, dry ports… ”, specifies, in its annual report, the Breton group, led by Cyrille Bolloré, the youngest of the patriarch’s sons.
Main judicial twist
The Bolloré Africa Logistics department, which generated a turnover of two.1 billion euros in 2020, can be valued between 2 billion and three billion euros. Nonetheless, the perimeter more likely to be bought doesn’t appear mounted. Past its positions as a necessary chief in Africa, the group manages a logistics and transport exercise that claims to be among the many high 5 European gamers, with a turnover of three.7 billion euros and 12,500 workers. It’s not excluded that some consumers are additionally eyeing these complementary companies.
Vincent Bolloré will not be the kind to refuse an excellent supply, even when that would go away primarily within the group which bears his identify the communication, in different phrases Vivendi, the storage of electrical energy and the monetary participations. Conversely, notice the regulars, nothing says that the transaction might be accomplished. Prior to now, the businessman has already provided for the sale of enormous property, earlier than giving up.
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