On 28 October 2026, Sogemar, a subsidiary of Contship, signed an agreement to acquire the entire Tarros Group for an undisclosed sum, with the aim of developing an integrated logistics platform. Completion is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to approval from the relevant authorities. In a statement, Contship confirmed that the agreement covers Tarros Spa and its overseas subsidiaries, as well as Terminal del Golfo Spa, Car Box Srl, Compagnia Marittima Servizi Srl and Med Logistics Malta Ldt, which operate in maritime services, port handling and inland transport. Founded in 1828, Tarros provides door-to-door services throughout the Mediterranean and reports 751 employees, 2,700 customers, operations in 16 countries and a presence in 31 ports. Contship Group already operates in La Spezia through La Spezia Container Terminal, in which it holds a majority stake alongside MSC.
According to Contship chief executive Matthieu Gasselin, integrating Tarros' maritime services with Sogemar's intermodal network and the group's terminals in Italy, Egypt and Morocco will help develop logistics connections between Europe and Africa. Alberto Musso, chairman and chief executive of Tarros, explained that the company had long been looking for a partner with which to pursue its growth plans.
The deal follows a prolonged search for an investor to finance Tarros' expansion and the enlargement of Terminal del Golfo in La Spezia. The project involves investment of around €100 million, including a new quay and an initial phase of works worth approximately €15 million. During the previous decade, Turkish group Arkas came close to acquiring a stake in the company, partly in connection with the terminal expansion, but no agreement was reached. In 2025, a partial demerger placed the landside operating companies, including Terminal del Golfo, under the direct control of Alberto Musso's HLM holding company, leaving Tarros Spa with its shipowning activities and Mediterranean agency network. Contship had already emerged as the frontrunner for the acquisition in spring 2026, and by September an agreement appeared imminent. However, reports on 8 September suggested that negotiations had slowed. According to unconfirmed information from port industry sources, Musso had opened talks with DP World and Gulftainer, whose representatives reportedly visited the terminal. CMA CGM was also mentioned as a potential interested party, although this was never confirmed. On 25 October, further reports indicated that Contship had regained the lead in the negotiations, moving ahead of Gulftainer.
