French boxship giant CMA CGM is reportedly looking to sell assets owned by its CMA Terminals (CMAT) unit.

Alphaliner said the disposal process is being led by former APL CEO Lars Kastrup.

CMAT has interests in 32 terminals globally, handling more than 8.5m teu in 2018.

In 2014, CMA CGM sold 49% of Terminal Link to China Merchants for $528m, and the Chinese group has again been tipped as a potential buyer.

The French group also offloaded a 90% holding in a Los Angeles terminal to EQT Infrastructure for $875m in 2017.

Alphaliner said: "CMA CGM may face difficulties in disposing of some terminals in less strategic locations, while assets in some key ports may not be for sale at all."

CMAT's more strategic investments include a 49% stake in the CMA CGM-PSA Lion Terminal in Singapore, a 30% slice of Rotterdam World Gateway and 100% of Kingston Freeport Terminal.

Alphaliner pointed to interest payments of more than $300m from CMA CGM’s total debt of $19.9bn as a possible reason for it selling out.

The French line told TradeWinds it is not commenting.

Kastrup left CMA CGM unit APL in July, after eight months in the top job, to pursue another unspecified opportunity.