Europe's courier market heats up as CMA CGM subsidiary eyes Paack acquisition

The European courier market is bracing for intensified competition as French logistics giant CMA CGM Group's subsidiary, Colis Privé, enters exclusive negotiations to acquire Paack's operations in France, Spain, and Portugal. This strategic move by CMA CGM aims to establish a robust, end-to-end logistics network, managing shipments from their point of origin to the final mile across Europe.

Francesco Tribuni, an analyst at Blocq.it, highlighted the significance of this acquisition, stating that CMA CGM will now comprehensively handle shipment flows, "from containers in Shenzhen to the last mile in Europe." CMA CGM, which reported 54.4 billion euros in revenue in 2025, with 18.3 billion euros from its logistics arm, Ceva Logistics, is a major player in the industry. Ceva Logistics operates 1,100 warehouses globally, totaling 11.5 million square meters, positioning it as the third-largest contract logistics provider worldwide.

The acquisition of Paack's assets is expected to bolster Colis Privé's network, extending its reach across five countries from the Algarve to Antwerp. In 2025, Paack handled an estimated 42 million shipments, while Colis Privé managed 100 million. Colis Privé already boasts a significant presence in France with 5,500 out-of-home delivery points and 1,500 parcel machines, and a network of 1,400 out-of-home points in Belgium. Furthermore, its collaboration with DHL allows Colis Privé to integrate shipments into DHL's network in 28 European countries.

This consolidation trend is further evidenced by recent acquisitions like DHL eCommerce's entry into Evri, Yodel's acquisition, and Sending by InPost. These moves are fueled by substantial investments in parcel locker networks, which have proven popular with consumers due to their convenience and efficiency for operators. While parcel machines require significant capital investment, with individual units costing up to several thousand euros, they enhance courier productivity. In 2025, Europe saw 19 billion parcels delivered, with InPost alone generating 10.5 Polish zlotys per package, indicating a market value of approximately 200 billion Polish zlotys. Companies that can rapidly establish extensive pick-up and drop-off networks are poised to dominate this evolving market.