Europe accounted for 14 of the 33 acquisitions recorded in the July 2026 Global Logistics M&A Recap from Logisyn Advisors and Transport Intelligence. That represented 42% of all transactions, equal to North America’s share.
However, the report suggests that the rationale behind logistics acquisitions is changing. Buyers are increasingly seeking rapid access to complete service networks, technology and specialist expertise, particularly in e-commerce and contract logistics.
According to Logisyn Advisors, acquisitions that might traditionally have been justified by cost savings, additional scale or market share are now increasingly being driven by speed to market.
Building a customs operation, returns network or last-mile delivery platform organically can take years. Acquiring an established operator allows logistics groups to add the necessary infrastructure, customers and local expertise almost immediately.
CMA CGM continues its expansion beyond shipping
The largest logistics transaction involving a European buyer highlighted in the report was CMA CGM’s agreement to acquire FedEx Supply Chain for an enterprise value of $1.4 billion. Although the target is based in North America, the acquisition illustrates the international expansion strategy being pursued by the French shipping and logistics group.
FedEx Supply Chain’s assets and nearly 10,000 employees would be integrated into CMA CGM subsidiary CEVA Logistics. The transaction is expected to nearly triple CEVA’s North American contract logistics operations.
Following the acquisition, CEVA would operate approximately 150 warehouses in the region, while its total North American workforce would rise to around 20,000 people across more than 240 sites.
The agreement also extends beyond warehousing. CMA CGM and FedEx plan to enter multi-year ocean and air freight arrangements, with CMA CGM becoming a preferred, although non-exclusive, ocean carrier for FedEx.
CEVA adds a last-mile network in France and Iberia
CEVA has also expanded closer to home through its subsidiary Colis Privé. The company completed the acquisition of Paack Iberia and Paack France on 3 August, following the agreements referenced in the July M&A report.
The transaction gives Colis Privé an immediate presence in Spain and Portugal while strengthening its existing French delivery network. Approximately 490 Paack employees are joining the company.
Paack brings 82 sites across the Iberian Peninsula, including 21 hubs and cross-dock facilities, 61 partner distribution centres and more than 5,000 active pickup points. Six French sites will also be incorporated into Colis Privé’s domestic network.
Alongside geographical coverage, CEVA is acquiring Paack’s technology for delivery planning, tracking, time-slot management and route optimisation. The transaction therefore combines market entry with the acquisition of capabilities required to build a broader European last-mile platform.
FM Logistic enters Germany through Schäflein
A similar strategy can be seen in FM Logistic’s agreement to acquire a majority stake in Schäflein. The proposed transaction gives the French logistics group its first direct foothold in Germany, described by the companies as Europe’s largest logistics market.
FM Logistic said the objective was not simply to acquire additional capacity. Schäflein brings industrial logistics expertise, warehouse automation capabilities through its LOCIT unit and experience in reusable-container management.
Almost 40% of Schäflein’s revenue comes from industrial customers and a further 27% from the mobility sector. Its transport network, including its Röthlein hub, will also allow FM Logistic to connect more of its existing European freight flows.
The Schäflein brand and management team are expected to remain in place. Completion remains subject to regulatory approval, including clearance from Germany’s Federal Cartel Office.
DHL buys an established Baltic parcel network
DHL provided another example at the end of July when it agreed to acquire Venipak. The transaction would give DHL eCommerce fully owned operations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Venipak operates approximately 800 parcel lockers, an extensive collection-point network and domestic B2B and B2C delivery services.
Rather than constructing a Baltic parcel network from the ground up, DHL is acquiring an established local brand, infrastructure and workforce. Venipak would retain its name while gaining access to DHL’s international network and more than 165,000 out-of-home delivery points.
