The Commission for the Protection of Competition has been notified of a proposed transaction involving the acquisition of Fattal Holding SAL by Merit Shipping SAL, and Fattal Holding International Limited by Ceva Air & Ocean International.
Merit Shipping SAL is a Lebanon-based company operating in shipping and freight forwarding.
Ceva Air & Ocean International, registered in France, provides air, sea, and land transport services and is part of the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics.
Both Merit Shipping and the CMA CGM Group are ultimately controlled by members of the same family.
Fattal Holding SAL is incorporated in Lebanon, while Fattal Holding International Limited is based in Cyprus. Together, they form the Fattal Group, a major distributor of branded consumer products across the Middle East and North Africa. Its portfolio spans food and beverages, personal and home care, pharmaceuticals, medical and office equipment, cosmetics, jewelry, tobacco, electronics, and household appliances.
In Cyprus, the Group operates through Swipe for Distribution Ltd, focusing on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
About the Fattal Group
Headquartered in Beirut, the Fattal Group is a leading regional distributor offering end-to-end distribution solutions supported by a strong infrastructure.
The Group operates across Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, Algeria, and Egypt, as well as France and Cyprus, providing access to millions of consumers throughout the MENA region.
About Swipe
Founded in 1970 by Aris Hadjigeorgiou, Swipe became the licensed partner of Vileda (part of Germany’s Freudenberg Group) and grew into a leading player in Cyprus’ cleaning products market.
In 2021, the Fattal Group acquired Swipe, marking its entry into Cyprus. Initially focused on Vileda products, the company later expanded into laundry care and personal care, introducing brands such as Revlon.
By late 2023, Swipe had further diversified its portfolio with brands like On, as well as Hamlet and Lily fragrances, securing strong placements with major retailers across Cyprus.
About Merit Shipping
Merit Shipping S.A.L. serves as the main representative of CMA CGM in Lebanon, offering shipping, logistics, and supply chain services, including freight transport and ship agency operations.
About CMA CGM
CMA CGM operates in 160 countries, with 400 offices, 1,000 warehouses, 160,000 employees, and a fleet of over 650 vessels. It serves 420 of the world’s 521 commercial ports and manages more than 250 shipping lines.
The Group reported global revenues of $55.5 billion in 2024.
