http://www.maersk.com/press_releases...=682&year=2005
Effectively, Maersk Sealand (worlds largest container line) has offered to purchase P&O Nedlloyd (worlds 3rd largest container line) at a price of around 2.3 Billion Euro.
The aviation related bit of this story is that P&ONL owns 50% of Martinair, whereas A.P. Moeller-Maersk are the sole owners of Maersk Air. The other 50% of MP is owned by KLM/Air France who are not allowed to take the last 50% owing to EU competition legislation.
There are already rumours floating about MP and DM joining forces too, which would be interesting to say the least. There are other rumours floating the A.P. M-M is looking to offload Maersk Air as they have been running at a deficit for several years. Maersk Air has an offspring called Star Air which deals exclusively in the freight market. Martinair's got a cargo arm too, operating MD-11F and 742F.
