The P&O Nedlloyd – Maersk Merger

On May 2005, Maersk have stated its plans to buy P&O Nedlloyd for 2.3 billion euros. As P&O Nedlloyd was merging its accomplishments in industry-leading process excellence and top international system execution, which was seen in a share increase from 9 euro to 57 euro in only 2 years, the shareholders were concerned at the preparations for acquisition. At the time of the take-over, P&O Nedlloyd held 6 percent of the worldwide industry market share, and Maersk-Sealand had 12 percent. The joined company would undoubtedly be the largest shipping company worldwide, with approximately 18 percent of the world market share. Maersk accomplished the acquisition on August 13, 2005. Royal P&O Nedlloyd shares ended trading on September 5 of the same year. On February of 2006, the new merged companies took on the name Maersk Line.

Shares in P&O Nedlloyd pitched to an all-time high of 57.45 euros and had an increase of 12.3 percent at 56.70 euros by 1003 GMT. The stock had by then increased 22 percent subsequent to the establishment by the companies that they were planning a merge. Prior to the offer was stated the firm’s stock traded at a cut rate of up to 40 percent to its peers due to low efficiency at maintaining full ships. On August 5, 2005, Maersk took over 95.6 percent of P&O Nedlloyd, all but maintaining its top position in the worldwide container shipping market