CPCS Acquires MILLE407, Forging a Global Transport Advisory Powerhouse

OTTAWA, ON – January 13, 2026 – Global infrastructure consultancy CPCS has announced its acquisition of MILLE407 (1407), a fast-growing port and maritime advisory firm based in France. The move signals a major strategic consolidation in the transportation consulting sector, creating a powerhouse entity poised to deliver integrated, end-to-end advisory services for complex trade and infrastructure projects worldwide.

The acquisition significantly strengthens CPCS's capabilities in the maritime domain, adding deep, specialized expertise in port operations, management, and digital transformation to its existing strengths in freight rail, energy, and public-private partnerships. The deal is set to expand the firm’s footprint across continental Europe and the critical MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, positioning it to capitalize on massive infrastructure investments planned in these territories.

A Strategic Play for End-to-End Transport Advisory

This acquisition is more than a simple expansion; it represents a deliberate strategic step toward becoming a comprehensive, multimodal transportation advisor. This move follows a pattern of strategic growth for CPCS, which previously merged with UK-based rail advisory firm First Class Partnerships in 2020 to bolster its European rail expertise. The integration of MILLE407 now bridges a critical gap, connecting the firm's terrestrial transport knowledge with the global maritime network.

As major infrastructure projects become increasingly interconnected, the ability to advise on the entire logistics chain—from seaport to railhead to final destination—is a powerful differentiator. CPCS Co-CEO Jean-François Arsenault emphasized this point, stating, "Complex projects are interconnected. The acquisition of 1407 reinforces CPCS as an end-to-end transportation advisor. Their port and maritime expertise complements our strong freight rail capabilities, bridging critical interface gaps in major projects."

The synergy allows the combined firm to offer a holistic perspective to governments, port authorities, shipping lines, and investors. Clients seeking to develop or modernize trade corridors will no longer need to stitch together advice from separate rail and maritime consultants, but can instead turn to a single entity that understands the intricate dynamics between them. This integrated approach is crucial for optimizing cargo flow, reducing bottlenecks, and enhancing the overall efficiency of global supply chains.

Accelerating the Shift to Greener, Smarter Ports

The timing of the acquisition aligns perfectly with two transformative trends sweeping the maritime industry: digitalization and sustainability. Ports worldwide are under intense pressure to modernize operations, reduce their carbon footprint, and build resilience against climate and economic shocks. The combined expertise of CPCS and MILLE407 is aimed directly at addressing these challenges.

MILLE407, founded in 2016, built its reputation on advising clients on port modernization and digital transformation. This involves the implementation of 'smart port' technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time asset tracking, artificial intelligence for optimizing vessel traffic, and automated cargo handling systems to increase throughput and safety. By integrating this expertise, CPCS is better equipped to guide clients through the complex process of technological adoption.

Simultaneously, the global push for 'green ports' is accelerating, driven by regulations from bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and growing demands for corporate environmental responsibility. This includes everything from providing shore power ('cold ironing') to reduce emissions from docked vessels, to transitioning port equipment to electric or hydrogen power, to implementing sustainable waste management programs. CPCS Co-CEO Marc-André Roy highlighted this focus: "Together, we'll help clients run greener, smarter, more resilient and profitable port and maritime operations."

Mathew Paul, CEO of MILLE407, who now joins CPCS as a Global Practice Lead, added, "Modern ports are essential to global competitiveness, and together we are positioned to make a greater impact." This sentiment underscores the firm's ambition to be at the forefront of developing the next generation of efficient, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable port infrastructure.

Charting a Course into European and MENA Markets

The acquisition provides CPCS with a formidable springboard into the lucrative and rapidly developing European and MENA markets. MILLE407’s established presence in France and Spain, combined with its extensive project history across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, offers immediate regional credibility and a network of key relationships.

In Europe, the firm is well-positioned to support projects related to the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), a multi-billion-euro initiative to enhance connectivity and sustainability across the continent's ports, railways, and roads. With a strong base in France, the combined entity can offer localized expertise for projects aimed at modernizing key European trade gateways.

The opportunities in the MENA region are even more pronounced. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into economic diversification plans, with state-of-the-art ports and logistics hubs serving as central pillars of these strategies. These ambitious projects require sophisticated advisory on everything from governance and master planning to operational readiness and technology integration—all core strengths of the newly merged firm.

Matthieu Desiderio, Founder of MILLE407 and now a CPCS Vice President, noted the strategic advantage: "Anchored in France and Spain, we can now deliver a more integrated chain of solutions across the European Union and MENA." This geographic and operational integration is key to capturing a significant share of the advisory market in these high-growth regions.

Reshaping the Competitive Landscape

By uniting CPCS's broad infrastructure consulting practice with MILLE407's niche maritime expertise, the acquisition reshapes the competitive landscape. The new entity is positioned to challenge both large, diversified engineering firms like WSP and Mott MacDonald, and specialized maritime consultancies such as Drewry and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting.

Its unique value proposition lies in its ability to offer the deep, specialized knowledge of a boutique firm at the scale of a global consultancy. The integration of MILLE407's leadership, Matthieu Desiderio and Mathew Paul, directly into CPCS's executive team ensures that this specialized knowledge is not siloed but is instead woven into the fabric of the organization's global strategy.

For the industry, this means the emergence of a more formidable competitor capable of tackling the most complex multimodal transportation challenges. As global trade becomes ever more reliant on the seamless integration of sea and land logistics, the strategic combination of CPCS and MILLE407 creates a powerful new force in the world of infrastructure advisory.