SATO Group
SATO Group is a privately held maritime logistics and port-operations group headquartered in Nouméa, New Caledonia, providing stevedoring, heavy lifting, inland container transport, and shipping agency services across the Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Vanuatu) for global shipping lines, freight forwarders, importers, and exporters.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersNouméa, New Caledonia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SATO Group does
SATO Group (Groupe SATO) is a privately held maritime logistics and port-operations group headquartered in Nouméa, New Caledonia, with operating subsidiaries and partner entities spanning New Caledonia, French Polynesia (SAT NUI), and Vanuatu (VLS Ltd). Founded in 1978, the group runs four integrated service lines: stevedoring and port handling for container vessels, Ro-Ro ships, and dry bulk carriers through SATO SA; heavy lifting services up to 180 tonnes using a fleet of elevators and GOTTWALD HMK cranes; ground transport logistics through wholly-owned LOCATRANS SAS, which positions approximately 10,000 containers per year across New Caledonia; and shipping agency / freight forwarding through SATO Maritime Service, including vessel consignment for Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines vehicle flows.
The technical backbone is a conventional operational IT stack — an e-TRACKING web portal, GPRS-based real-time delivery confirmation, barcode cargo tracking, and CODECO/COARRI/EDIFACT-compliant yard management — rather than any AI-enabled system. The group handles more than 300,000 tonnes of freight annually at productivity rates exceeding 60 container moves per hour, supported by customs-bonded container storage and refrigerated container management.
Commercially, SATO operates as a quote-based B2B service provider targeting enterprise clients: major shipping lines (MSC, Maersk, Wallenius Wilhelmsen), freight forwarders, importers and exporters, and vessel owners. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; relationships are mediated through direct enterprise sales and dedicated account contacts. The group reports no external funding rounds, is family/management-controlled under Managing Director Jérôme Mangard, and is not listed. Marketing relies on LinkedIn, Facebook, a corporate newsletter, and direct account management rather than paid digital channels.
SATO Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SATO Group
- Legal name
- Groupe SATO
- Website
- https://sato.nc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SATO Group is a privately held maritime logistics and port-operations group headquartered in Nouméa, New Caledonia, providing stevedoring, heavy lifting, inland container transport, and shipping agency services across the Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Vanuatu) for global shipping lines, freight forwarders, importers, and exporters.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SATO Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB), Breakbulk & Project Cargo Handling (Heavy Lift, Out-of-Gauge Handling) (TLAHALAH), Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), Port/Terminal Heavy Cargo Handling & Stevedoring (Heavy Crane Ops) (TLAIAKAD)
Keywords
Where SATO Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nouméa
- HQ country
- New Caledonia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
SATO Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Port Handling / Stevedoring Services: Core stevedoring services for container vessels, roll-on/roll-off ships, and dry bulk carriers. Handles two docked vessels simultaneously with productivity exceeding 60 movements per hour.
- Lifting Operations: Heavy lift services handling cargo up to 180 tonnes. Equipment includes 15 elevators with capacities ranging from 25 to 45 tonnes, plus 2 GOTTWALD HMK cranes.
- Transport Logistics: Ground transport and logistics services positioning nearly 10,000 containers annually throughout New Caledonia. Integrated service from import to final delivery.
- Shipping Agency / Maritime Agency: Shipping agency services including vessel consignment, freight forwarding, and maritime advice for importers/exporters. Consignment of goods with bonded warehouse storage and refrigerated container management.
- Container Storage: Temporary container storage facilities at designated zones. Manages container depots and handles depot/demurrage information.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
SATO Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SATO Group provides integrated maritime logistics services including port handling (stevedoring) for container vessels, roll-on/roll-off ships, and dry bulk carriers; heavy lifting operations up to 180 tonnes; ground transport logistics positioning nearly 10,000 containers per year throughout New Caledonia; and shipping agency services covering freight forwarding, vessel consignment, refrigerated container management, and bonded warehouse storage. Operating through three subsidiaries (SATO SA, SATO Maritime Service, LOCATRANS SAS), the group serves shipping lines, freight forwarders, and importers/exporters across the Pacific.
Product overview
SATO Group operates as an integrated maritime logistics provider with a portfolio of four interconnected services. SATO SA handles core stevedoring and port handling operations with heavy-lift equipment. SATO Maritime Service provides shipping agency, vessel consignment, and international freight coordination. LOCATRANS SAS delivers ground transport logistics with real-time tracking capabilities for containers. e-TRACKING serves as the customer-facing tracking portal that ties the group services together, allowing clients to monitor shipments throughout the supply chain.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- e-TRACKING: Real-time tracking service for container shipments and logistics operations
- LOCATRANS SAS
Products and services
- Port Handling / Stevedoring Services Core stevedoring services for container vessels, roll-on/roll-off ships, and dry bulk carriers at Nouméa port; capable of handling two docked vessels simultaneously with productivity exceeding 60 movements per hour and operating 24/7. Operated by SATO SA.
- Lifting / Heavy Lift Operations Heavy lift cargo handling up to 180 tonnes using a fleet that includes 15 elevators with capacities ranging from 25 to 45 tonnes and 2 GOTTWALD HMK cranes; targets conventional and oversized cargo in port operations.
- Shipping Agency Services (SATO Maritime Service) Shipping agency providing vessel consignment, freight forwarding, and maritime advice for importers and exporters across Europe, United States, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Includes bonded warehouse storage, refrigerated container (reefer) management, depotage/empotage, and specialized vehicle transport via Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines. Operated 24/7 by 5 qualified staff.
- Transport Logistics (LOCATRANS SAS) Ground transport of approximately 10,000 containers per year throughout New Caledonia using a fleet of recent trucks and an in-house operating system providing real-time order management, GPRS-based delivery confirmation, and automated client confirmation. Operated by LOCATRANS SAS, which joined the SATO Group permanently in January 2005.
- e-TRACKING Customer Portal Customer-facing web portal (etracking.sato.nc) for real-time container tracking: provides delivery and pickup dates, order status, depot information, and demurrage data; enables booking of delivery/pickup. Tracking data is populated by the GPRS-based operating system.
- Container Storage Services Temporary container storage at a designated yard zone, with depot and demurrage information management integrated into the e-TRACKING system; offered as a complementary logistics service under the LOCATRANS SAS subsidiary.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60+ movements per hour productivity rate on vessels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SATO Group
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SATO Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SATO Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen LinescoreSATO Maritime Service specializes in vehicle transport from Europe and the United States via Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, serving as their shipping agency partner in New Caledonia. The partnership involves vessel consignment, freight forwarding, and specialized vehicle handling services.
- SAT NUI (Polynésie française)coreSubsidiary of SATO Group operating in French Polynesia (Tahiti). Manages port handling, lifting and transport operations, customs clearance (TRANSIT SAT NUI), transport logistics (VANES, TAUTU), maritime agency (AMFU), cruise logistics (SPATLEV), and FedEx cargo services. Together with SATO, positions as leaders in their respective Pacific markets.
- VLS Ltd (Vanuatu)minorRecent addition to SATO Group network, based in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Provides lifting and transport operations, shipping agency services, and port handling (forthcoming). Part of the group's strategic Pacific coverage expansion.
- Port Autonome de NouméacorePort authority partner providing port infrastructure and operational coordination. Key stakeholder in stevedoring and port handling operations at Nouméa port.
- Pilotes MaritimescoreMaritime pilotage services partner for vessel navigation and docking operations in New Caledonia waters.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SATO Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swire Shipping: Pacific-focused liner and door-to-door logistics operator connecting Oceania and Asia; comparable to SATO on Pacific regional shipping agency, container routing, and end-to-end logistics services for island economies.
- Pacific International Line (PIL): Singapore-based container liner specializing in intra-Asia and Pacific island trades; comparable to SATO on Pacific container flows, port-of-call operations, and feeder services in island territories analogous to New Caledonia.
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen: Global vehicle-handling ocean carrier and logistics provider; directly comparable to SATO's Wallenius Wilhelmsen partnership-driven auto-cargo handling and shipping agency operations in New Caledonia, with overlapping scope in deep-sea vehicle logistics and consignee services.
Broad incumbents
- Geodis: Global logistics and freight forwarding group with Oceania presence; comparable to SATO on multi-vertical logistics (ocean freight, contract logistics, transport) delivered to enterprise shipping clients.
- CMA CGM: Global shipping and terminal operator with CEVA Logistics; comparable to SATO as a broad incumbent across container shipping, freight forwarding, and port operations touching the same trade lanes and Oceania clients.
- ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services Inc.): Global container terminal operator with Pacific island terminals; comparable to SATO on stevedoring, vessel handling, and yard operations across container, bulk, and breakbulk cargo.
- PSA International: Singapore-headquartered global port operator group; comparable to SATO on container handling operations, productivity benchmarks, and integrated port services for global shipping lines.
- DP World: One of the world's largest marine terminal operators; comparable to SATO on multi-purpose port operations, port-side logistics services, and shipping-line relationship management at international gateway ports.
- Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder with NVOCC and contract logistics capabilities; comparable to SATO on international freight forwarding, customs/bonded services, and B2B logistics orchestration across Pacific island markets.
- Bolloré Transport & Logistics: Multi-modal logistics group with deep French overseas territory presence (Africa, Asia, Pacific); comparable to SATO on integrated port handling, freight forwarding, and contract logistics in French-speaking territories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SATO Group social profiles
Digital presenceSATO Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SATO Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SATO Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
SATO Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SATO Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SATO Group
What does SATO Group do?
SATO Group provides integrated maritime logistics services including port handling (stevedoring) for container vessels, roll-on/roll-off ships, and dry bulk carriers; heavy lifting operations up to 180 tonnes; ground transport logistics positioning nearly 10,000 containers per year throughout New Caledonia; and shipping agency services covering freight forwarding, vessel consignment, refrigerated container management, and bonded warehouse storage. Operating through three subsidiaries (SATO SA, SATO Maritime Service, LOCATRANS SAS), the group serves shipping lines, freight forwarders, and importers/exporters across the Pacific.
Is SATO Group a public or private company?
SATO Group is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was SATO Group founded?
SATO Group was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SATO Group based?
SATO Group is headquartered in Nouméa, New Caledonia, in the Oceania region.
How does SATO Group make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Port Handling / Stevedoring Services are the primary driver. The others are lifting Operations, transport Logistics, shipping Agency / Maritime Agency and container Storage.
Who are SATO Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swire Shipping, Pacific International Line (PIL) and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Broad incumbents are Geodis, CMA CGM, ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services Inc.), PSA International, DP World, Kuehne+Nagel and Bolloré Transport & Logistics.
Does SATO Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for SATO Group.
What industry is SATO Group in?
SATO Group's product category is Maritime Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHALAA, Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations), with a secondary code of TLAHALAB, Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery). Its NAICS code is 488320 and its SIC code is 4400.