By Eva Richardson – The Logistic News
March 31, 2025
In a move set to significantly strengthen its inland logistics footprint in North America, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), through its subsidiary Medlog, has announced the acquisition of U.S.-based intermodal provider COFC Logistics. The transaction, whose value remains undisclosed, represents a key strategic step in MSC’s ongoing expansion into multimodal logistics solutions in the United States.
COFC Logistics, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has carved out a strong reputation for its domestic intermodal services, specializing in 53-foot container movements across an extensive rail network in cooperation with Class I railroads. With a particular focus on the Eastern U.S. corridor, COFC has been an agile and asset-light operator, offering door-to-door solutions tailored to mid-size shippers and 3PLs.
By integrating COFC into Medlog’s U.S. portfolio, MSC is broadening its value proposition beyond ocean freight to cover full supply chain solutions—including rail, drayage, and warehousing. Industry insiders see the move as part of a wider trend where global ocean carriers continue to seek greater control and vertical integration of inland transport capabilities to boost resilience and efficiency.
“This is not just a scale play—it’s a smart play,” says Anne Porter, senior analyst at American Supply Chain Forum. “The domestic intermodal sector in the U.S. is undergoing rapid transformation. With COFC, MSC can now directly plug into inland freight flows and offer integrated container movement from port to final destination.”
According to COFC President Jim Kramer, who will remain in place post-acquisition, the integration will allow the company to scale its offerings, expand into new corridors, and leverage MSC’s global network to attract a wider customer base. “We’ve always believed in the value of flexibility and customer-centric service. With Medlog’s resources behind us, we’ll be able to push that vision even further,” Kramer said in a statement.
This acquisition comes at a time when U.S. import volumes remain strong and capacity constraints have placed pressure on both trucking and intermodal systems. Shippers are increasingly looking for door-to-door solutions that are not only cost-efficient but also offer greater visibility and reliability. MSC’s entry into this space via COFC signals confidence in the resilience of intermodal growth in the post-pandemic logistics landscape.
For MSC, this move reinforces its shift toward becoming a fully integrated logistics powerhouse, offering shippers more than just port-to-port solutions. The company has already made notable investments in terminals, logistics services, and inland infrastructure globally. The acquisition of COFC aligns with its long-term vision to own and control more aspects of the container journey.
As regulatory filings proceed and integration efforts begin, industry observers will be watching closely how this acquisition reshapes competition in the U.S. domestic intermodal market. With Maersk and CMA CGM already heavily invested in inland assets and end-to-end logistics, MSC’s latest move underscores the ongoing race among carriers to redefine themselves as full-spectrum logistics providers.
Eva Richardson is a senior correspondent at The Logistic News, specializing in global supply chain strategy, intermodal trends, and carrier innovation.
