CMA CGM announces $20bn investment in US amid flurry of new service developments

CMA CGM’s announcement yesterday of a $20bn investment in America’s maritime, logistics and supply chain capabilities rounds off a busy week for the Marseille-based group.

“Over the next four years, we will significantly grow our U.S.-flagged fleet, expand the capacity of key container ports on both coasts, develop state-of-the-art warehousing across the country, and establish a significant air cargo hub in Chicago,” said CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Sadde. “This will create 10,000 new American jobs and further strengthen our partnership with American customers and public authorities.”

This past week has also seen CMA CGM’s first dual-fuel methanol vessel make her maiden call at the Port of Singapore, amid other service innovations announced by the French liner giant.

Built in Korea by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, the CMA CGM IRON (pictured) is the first in a series of 12 dual-fuel methanol vessels with a capacity of 13,000 TEU to be deployed over the next two years. The company already operates dual-fuel gas powered vessels, the new methanol ships representing a doubling down on its decarbonisation ambition of reaching net zero.

CMA CGM IRON will join the CIMEX1 service, which connects Asia to the Middle East Gulf region.

Separately, CMA CGM has introduced its new SEAS 3 service, connecting the Far East to South America East Coast. The weekly fixed-day service will have a rotation Shanghai - Shekou - Vung Tau - Singapore - Santos - Singapore – Shanghai, with the first departure scheduled 8 April from Shanghai.

The Brazil call will be at the container terminal Tecon Santos, South America’s largest container terminal operated by ports group Santos Brasil, in which CMA CGM is in the process of trying to obtain a controlling stake. The liner group announced a deal to buy a c.48% stake in Santos Brasil last September, adding would launch a public offer to buy the outstanding shares “in coming months”.

Finally, the French liner giant – reported to have recently overtaken Maersk as the world’s second largest containership operator (behind MSC) on the back of buoyant net income of $5.7bn in 2024 - has introduced its brand-new ‘My Exclusive Concierge’ providing premium customers with a dedicated service team available 24/7.