Despite speculation that global shipping line CMA CGM is interested in bidding for the 100 per cent privatisation of operations and management of the Malta Freeport, foreign press reports this week claimed that the line is nevertheless interested in transferring its operations to Cagliari, Sardinia.

Reports say that the Marseilles-based carrier is the focus of speculation linking it to the two rival Mediterranean transshipment hubs.

CMA CGM currently provides an annual volume of some 500,000 containers through the Malta Freeport, accounting for approximately half the Freeport's annual business, which last year amounted to just over the one million mark.

It is thought that if CMA CGM were to move the bulk of its operations to Sardinia, the loss of business could be severely detrimental to the Malta Freeport, bringing the number of containers handled down to levels last seen in 1995.

However, reports from Italy say CMA CGM is about to be named as the first customer for the Cagliari International Container Terminal in Sardinia, providing around 750,000 containers of traffic annually and a CMA ship has reportedly already carried out a dry run at the terminal, dropping off around 800 containers.

CMA CGM Chairman Jacque Saade, was recently in Malta for talks on the Malta Freeport.

Earlier this month the government issued an international call for interest in the privatisation of the Freeport, which was published in several foreign publications such as the Economist.

Reportedly, internal preparations at the Freeport have reached a very advanced stage and it is thought that the operations and management could be privatised by the end of the year. The government is seeking indications of interest in the acquisition of 100 per cent of Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd., the company that manages and operates the Malta Freeport.

The closing date for the receipt of expressions of interest is tomorrow and preliminary offers will be required by 21 May.