CMA CGM Press Releases feed

CMA CGM, Maersk Line and MSC to establish an operational alliance

CMA CGM — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0200

CMA CGM, Maersk Line and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA have agreed to establish a long-term operational alliance on East – West trades, called the P3 Network. The aim is to improve and optimize operations and service offerings.

The P3 Network will operate a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (initially 255 vessels on 29 loops) on three trade lanes: Asia – Europe, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic.

While the P3 Network vessels will be operated independently by a joint vessel operating center, the three lines will continue to have fully independent sales, marketing and customer service functions.

Improving services for the customers

The P3 Network will provide customers with more stable, frequent and flexible services.

Each of the lines will offer more weekly sailings in their combined Network than they do individually. As an example, the P3 Network plans to offer 8 weekly sailings between Asia and Northern Europe. In addition the P3 Network will offer more direct ports of call.

The improved P3 Network is expected to reduce the disruptions for customers caused by cancelled sailings.

In order to provide customers with a consistent service offering across the Network, the lines will establish an independent joint vessel operating center.

Need for efficiency

Declining volume growth and over-capacity in recent years have underlined the need to improve operations and efficiency in the industry. This has prompted the creation of other operational alliances such as G6 and CKYH. Using the P3 Network the lines expect to be able to improve their efficiency through better utilization of vessel capacity.

Subject to approval

The lines intend to start operations in the 2nd quarter of 2014, but the starting date will be subject to obtaining the approval of relevant competition and other regulatory authorities.

In addition, the establishment of the P3 Network is subject to the lines agreeing on definitive contracts. Finalization and signing of the contracts is planned for the 4th quarter of this year.

The P3 Network will based on existing capacities of each member, initially operate a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (255 vessels)
Maersk Line will contribute with approximately 42% of the capacity, of about 1.1 million TEU.
MSC will contribute with approximately 34% of the capacity, of about 0.9 million TEU.
CMA CGM will contribute with approximately 24% of the capacity, of about 0.6 million TEU of capacity.
Vessels contributed to the P3 Network will continue to be owned and/or chartered by the lines.

Vincent Clerc, Chief Trade and Marketing Officer, Maersk Line
Diego Aponte, Vice President, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA
Rodolphe Saadé, Executive Officer, CMA CGM

Further information:

Image 7
Anne-France Malrieu
+33 6 89 87 61 18
afmalrieu@image7.fr

CMA CGM
CMA CGM media department
media@cma-cgm.com

CMA CGM revenue restoration program

CMA CGM — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:52:16 +0200

Please find below, the CMA CGM Group’s rate restoration program:

GENERAL RATE INCREASE

Effective July 1st, 2013:
From North Europe (North Continent, Scandinavia, Baltic, UK) to the Far East (China, Japan, Korea, & South East Asia countries)
+ USD 150 per 20’
+ USD 200 per 40’

PEAK SEASON SURCHARGE

Effective July 1st, 2013:
From All Asian ports (including Japan, South East Asia and Bangladesh) to all Northern Europe ports (including UK and the full range from Portugal to Russia)
+ USD 150 per TEU (Dry, OOG’s, Paying empties, Break-bulk and Reefer cargo)

This PSS will come in addition to the already announced General Rate Increase of USD 775/TEU effective from July 1st, 2013.

CMHI and CMA CGM complete the Terminal Link Transaction

CMA CGM — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:12:06 +0200

China Merchants Holdings (International) Company Limited ("CMHI") and CMA CGM are pleased to announce the completion on 11 June 2013 of the sale and purchase of the 49% equity stake in Terminal Link, upon the obtaining of all consents and approvals in various jurisdictions and the completion of certain pre-closing corporate reorganizations as stipulated under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement. CMHI's intention to acquire from CMA CGM 49% equity interest in Terminal Link for €400 million was announced earlier in January. The Completion was formalised by the signing by both parties of a Shareholders Agreement.

Among the many distinguished guests attended the signing ceremony in Luxembourg of the Shareholders Agreement were CMA CGM Executive Officer Farid Salem, China Merchants Group Vice President Raymond Yu, CMHI Deputy General Manager & CFO Zhang Rizhong, CMHI Assistant General Manager Oliver Lam, CMHI Executive Director of International Development Jared H. Zerbe.

Terminal Link owns 15 container terminals in 8 countries across four major continents, viz:

Container Handling Zeebrugge at Zeebrugge (Belgium);
Antwerp Gateway at Antwerp (Belgium);
Terminal des Flandres at Dunkirk (France) ;
Terminal de France and Terminal Nord at Le Havre (France);
Terminal du Grand Ouest at Montoir (France) ;
Eurofos at Fos (France) ;
Somaport at Casablanca (Morocco);
Eurogate Tanger at Tangiers (Morocco) ;
Malta Freeport Terminal at Marsaxlokk (Malta);
Terra Abidjan at Abidjan (Ivory Coast);
Houston Terminal Link Texas at Houston (the United States) ;
South Florida Container Terminal at Miami (the United States) ;
Busan New Container Terminal at Busan (South Korea) ;
Haicang Xinhaida Container Terminal at Xiamen (the PRC).

Farid Salem, CMA CGM’s Executive Officer, said: “CMA CGM is very pleased to enter a new strategic partnership with CMHI which will allow us to join our complementary forces to operate and further develop in Terminals investments.”

"The smooth completion of this transaction," China Merchants Group Assistant President & CMHI Managing Director Dr Hu Jianhua indicates," reflects the recognition and consent to the transaction from the governments from whose regulatory units consents and approvals were obtained. The process to seek approvals and consents has also helped to anchor Terminal Link's platform through which to further develop its ports businesses in these areas."

China Merchants Group & CMHI Chairman Dr Fu Yuning added, "On the back of a good working relationship already existing between our two organisations for more than 20 years, the linkage through Terminal Link between CMA CGM and CMHI not only marks a deeper and closer co-operation from here on, but also rolls out a joint and co-ordinated approach to developing the ports business with mutual interests that capitalises on the respective advantages and global network synergy of both parties, with a view to better facilitating international trade activities at the terminal locations through the provision by Terminal Link of more efficient and comprehensive services, whilst creating higher return on investment for our respective shareholders. "

Signature de convention de partenariat entre le Groupe CMA CGM et Aix-Marseille Université

CMA CGM — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:49:38 +0200

Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) représentée par le Président Yvon Berland et CMA CGM représentée par le Directeur Central des Ressources Humaines du Groupe Thierry Billion signeront une convention de partenariat visant à renforcer les liens déjà tissés entre les deux entités.

Ce nouveau partenariat favorisera l’insertion professionnelle des étudiants d’AMU grâce aux actions communes du groupe CMA CGM et de l’Université Aix-Marseille dans les domaines de la formation, de la recherche, de l’employabilité et de la co-organisation de manifestations.

Avec ce nouveau partenariat, CMA CGM, 3ème Groupe maritime mondial, proposera à AMU :

Une priorité aux stages et aux VIEs au sein du Groupe CMA CGM
L’organisation de conférences sur les métiers maritimes par nos experts CMA CGM
Le Groupe proposera également d’inviter régulièrement des groupes d’étudiants à découvrir le milieu du transport maritime à travers des conférences et des études de cas réels
Enfin, CMA CGM proposera de parrainer plusieurs étudiants en Master, intéressés par le domaine maritime

Thierry Billion, Directeur central des Ressources Humaines du Groupe CMA CGM : « Cette convention traduit la volonté du groupe de créer de nouvelles passerelles entre CMA CGM et l’Université Aix-Marseille qui pourraient déboucher sur l’emploi de jeunes talents ».

AMU, forte de ses 72 000 étudiants, de ses 12 écoles doctorales et de ses 132 structures de recherche est un atout considérable au service du développement économique régional et national. Ainsi elle livre à CMA CGM son portefeuille d’experts dans le secteur maritime (étudiants, jeunes diplômés, responsables de formations) en diffusant les offres de stages, de VIE (volontariat international en entreprise) et d’emplois, en organisant des tables rondes, des forums emplois et autres actions d’insertion professionnelle.

Contacts presse :
Aix-Marseille Université - Delphine Bucquet - Direction de la communication - Aix-Marseille Université - 06 12 74 62 32
CMA CGM – media@cma-cgm.com

The CMA CGM JULES VERNE inaugurated by François Hollande

CMA CGM — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:39:26 +0200

THE CMA CGM JULES VERNE, the world’s largest containership (16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units), and sailing under the French flag was officially inaugurated today by French President François Hollande in Marseille, on the 4th of June.

Arrived on the 3rd of June at Marseille for an exceptional call, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE was welcomed by thousands of local people and employees from CMA CGM’s Head Office. Her inauguration was a fitting celebration to mark the 35th anniversary of a Group that was founded in Marseille by Jacques R. Saadé in 1978.

After the CMA CGM MARCO POLO and CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE is the third 16,000 teu vessel that has been delivered to the CMA CGM Group. With her 396 m long and 54 m wide, this veritable giant of the seas symbolises the strength of the French leading and world’s third largest container shipping group. In line with the sustainable Group’s sustainable development policy of the Group, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

The CMA CGM Jules Verne is deployed on the FAL 1 (French Asia Line), the world’s biggest shipping route, linking Asia to North Europe. The line offers a weekly service with some of the fastest transit times on the market.

From the 5th June, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE, which has already called at Busan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Suez and Malta, will continue her rotation to the ports of Tangier, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Suez, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali and Port Kelang before finishing her journey in Ningbo.

With over 400 vessels, including the world’s three largest containerships, the CMA CGM Group and its 18,000 employees is the preferred partner for French companies exporting the “Made in France” all over the world.

See highlights from the inauguration of the CMA CGM JULES VERNE and Mr Saadé’s speech on our website http://cmacgm.com and follow the CMA CGM JULES VERNE on the Group’s blog at: http://www.cma-cgm-blog.fr

CMA CGM revenue restoration program

CMA CGM — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Please find below, the CMA CGM Group’s rate restoration program:

GENERAL RATE INCREASE

Effective July 1st, 2013:

From all Asian ports (including Japan, South East Asia and Bangladesh) to all Northern Europe ports (including UK and the full range from Portugal to Russia)

+ USD 775 per TEU (Dry, OOG, paying empties, break-bulk and reefer)

First-Quarter 2013 Results

CMA CGM — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:42:07 +0200

The Board of Directors of France’s CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, met under the chairmanship of Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to review the financial statements for the three months ended 31 March 2013.

Consolidated revenue rose by 6% in the period, to $3.8 billion from $3.6 billion in the first three months of 2012. The increase resulted from 3% growth in volumes carried (2.7 million TEUs in first-quarter 2013 compared with 2.6 million TEUs in the prior-year period) as well as a 3% rise in freight rates.

Profitability rose sharply in the first three months of 2013 with EBITDA amounting to $258 million, compared with a lost of $31 million in first-quarter 2012, for an EBIT margin of 5.1%, one of the industry’s highest. Consolidated net profit stood at $102 million for the period.

CMA CGM also continued to strengthen its balance sheet by:

Sharply reducing net debt to $4.2 billion at 31 March 2013. This was $1.1 billion less than one year earlier and $0.4 billion less than at 31 December 2012.
Significantly improving equity to $4.2 billion, an increase of $640 million compared with one year earlier and an increase of $112 million since 31 December 2012.

Outlook

Since the Chinese New Year, freight rates have declined considerably, especially in the Asia/Europe market. In today’s still volatile market conditions, CMA CGM should produce better-than-average results thanks to the diversity of its geographic exposure and its ability to effectively manage its cost structure.

Financial highlights

	Q1-2012	Q1-2013	% Change
Volumes carried, in TEU** millions	2.6	2.7	+3%
Revenue in $ billions	3.6	3.8	+6%
EBITDA in $ millions	(31)	258	-
Net profit/(loss) in $ millions	(240)	102	-
ROCE (Return on capital employed)	-0.2%	14.0%	-

*In first-quarter 2013, the Group reported consolidated net profit of $96 million, compared with a loss of $248 million in the prior-year period. **TEU = twenty-foot equivalent units

The CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT* (16,000 TEU) is christened today, in Hamburg

CMA CGM — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:20:37 +0200

The CMA CGM Group is pleased to announce the christening of the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, today, in Hamburg, in presence of her godmother, Dr. Dorothee Stapelfeldt, Second Mayor of Hamburg, Mr. Olaf Scholz, Mayor of Hamburg, Mr. frank Horch, Senator of Hamburg for Ministry of Economics, Transport and Innovation and Mr. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

During a ceremony held today, at the townhall of Hamburg, Jacques R. Saade has been awarded by the Hamburg Senator of Port and Economics, Frank Horch, of one of the highest and most honorable decorations of the City of Hamburg: "the Admiralitätsportugaleser."

The CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, CMA CGM MARCO POLO and CMA CGM JULES VERNE’s sistership, is the second 16 000 TEU vessel delivered to the CMA CGM Group. The three of them are named after great explorers.

Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, owned by CMA CGM, displays exceptional dimensions: 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters and sails under the UK flag. In line with the sustainable development policy of the Group, the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the « French Asia Line » (FAL 1), the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT has already called at Pusan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Suez, Tanger, Southampton and Hamburg and will then call Bremerhaven (31 May), Rotterdam (2 June), Zeebrugge (3 June), Le Havre (5 June), Malta (11 June), Suez (14 June), Khor Al Fakkan (22 June), Jebel Ali (24 June), Port Kelang (3 July) and Ningbo (10 July).

The FAL1 operates the largest vessels of the CMA CGM fleet and offers its customers a fixed-day, weekly connection between Central and South China, the main exporting zones of the country, and Northern Europe.

* Alexander von Humboldt is a German naturalist, geographer, and explorer, born September 14, 1769 in Berlin and died May 6, 1859 in the same city. Humboldt is considered as the father of modern geography. He cleared and applied two principles that make geography a distinct science of physical and biological sciences. He is the younger brother of Wilhelm von Humboldt, Minister of Prussia and German philosopher, who, as a visionary for research and education, founded the Humboldt University of Berlin in 1810.

Leading container lines reinitiate piracy meetings to keep focus on piracy

CMA CGM — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:28:47 +0200

CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd representing 40 percent of the world container shipping industry have met to discuss the piracy threat towards international shipping. The meeting focused on piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and West Africa. The cooperation between CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd includes information exchange on security measures, piracy policies and procedures as well as coordination with relevant stakeholders.

“Although we have seen a decline in piracy activity over the past year, piracy continues to be a concern for the shipping industry, and therefore we still need our piracy consensus meetings where we can cooperate on responses to the threat to ensure the safety and security of our seafarers,” CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd said in a joint statement.

At the piracy consensus meeting, CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd agreed that the international community’s efforts to fight the problem have contributed significantly to the improvement in the situation seen today. Especially the naval presence in the Gulf of Aden and the pursuit of appropriate legal frameworks to ensure pirates are prosecuted and held responsible for their crimes have contributed hereto.

“We highly appreciate the efforts by the international community to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and the success achieved. The continued commitment by the international community with a strong presence and mandate is critical to sustain the current low level of piracy activity,” CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd said.

CMA CGM, MSC, Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd have put the guidelines in the Best Management Practices to use on a daily basis and have gained significant experience over the past years on what adds value to their ship protection.

“The Best Management Practice (BMP) has been a key contributor towards reducing the risks of piracy. To remain relevant, a revised BMP must focus further on the risk assessment element as the key methodology to determine appropriate anti-piracy measures. In our experience, a ‘one size fits all’ approach does not provide the most effective and efficient solution against the threat. Each protective element must be evaluated in response to the risk and the appropriate level and mix of security methods must be used,” CMA CGM, MSC Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd concluded.

Hamburg Süd, CMA CGM, MSC and Maersk Line continue to support proposals for regional capacity building to address the issue such as a regional coast guard and further commitment by the international community to address the root causes of piracy ashore.

For further information, please contact:

CMA CGM: CMA CGM Media media@cma-cgm.com
MSC: Capt. Porzio Raffaele WW Operation Manager or Capt. Maresca Giuseppe, Assistant Operation Manager, +41 22 7038888
Maersk Line: Aslak Ross, Head of Marine Standards, +45 3363 4665
Hamburg Süd: CSO/DPA Mathias Günther +49 40 3705 2307

About CMA CGM: CMA CGM, founded and managed by Jacques R. Saadé is the world’s third largest container shipping company and has a turnover of 15.9 billion USD in 2012.Operating a fleet of 414 vessels, the Group serves more than 400 ports around the world. In 2012, the Group carried 10.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on every continent and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies and branch offices, the Group employs 18,000 people worldwide and 2,400 in Marseilles where is situated its head office.

About MSC: MSC S.A. is the world’s second largest container shipping company and it is a private owned Suisse based company.

About Maersk Line: Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company, is owned by the Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller – Maersk. Maersk Line operates a fleet of approximately 500 vessels and annually does about 1,500 transits through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

About Hamburg Süd: Hamburg Süd, privately owned by the German Oetker Group, is the leading North-South Carrier with a worldwide liner network. The company has more than 4,500 employees, operates 153 ships and deploys 458,000 state-of-the-art-containers.

The CMA CGM JULES VERNE will be inaugurated in the presence of Mr. François Hollande

CMA CGM — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:01:35 +0200

The CMA CGM Group is very pleased to announce the arrival of the CMA CGM JULES VERNE (16 000 containers twenty-foot equivalent). Sailing under the French flag, she is the world’s largest containership.

The CMA CGM JULES VERNE will begin its first rotation tomorrow, Friday, May 3rd, in Pusan, South Korea. Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the « French Asia Line » (FAL 1), the CMA CGM JULES VERNE will call at Pusan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Suez, Malta, Marseilles, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Suez, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang and Ningbo.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the CMA CGM Group, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE will be deviated from its rotation and call exceptionally in Marseilles, where she will be inaugurated, Tuesday, June 4th, in the presence of Mr. François Hollande, President of the French Republic.

The CMA CGM JULES VERNE is the third 16 000 teus vessel that has been delivered to the CMA CGM Group. This giant of the seas displays exceptional dimensions: 396 meters long and 54 meters wide. In line with the sustainable development policy of the Group, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

The CMA CGM JULES VERNE symbolizes the dynamism of the French leading shipping group. Founded and leaded by Jacques R.Saadé and based in Marseille since its creation in 1978, the CMA CGM Group has grown to become the world's third largest container shipping group. CMA CGM is a key player in the global economy.

Follow the CMA CGM JULES VERNE on our blog: http://www.cma-cgm-blog.com

Customer Survey

CMA CGM — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:29 +0200

Dear customer,

We have decided to carry out a global Satisfaction survey in order to better understand your expectations and perceptions.

It is very important for us to find out how to deliver a better service experience on our global network. That’s why you are kindly invited to participate in this survey.

http://survey-global.cma-cgm.com/css/

CMA CGM revenue restoration program

CMA CGM — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:14:48 +0200

Please find below, the CMA CGM Group’s rate restoration program:

GENERAL RATE INCREASE

Effective May 1st, 2013:

From Asia to West Africa
+ USD 250 per TEU (Dry)

The CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT (16,000 TEU) enters CMA CGM’s Asia - Europe Trade

CMA CGM — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:11:02 +0200

The CMA CGM Group is pleased to announce that the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, second of the world's largest and state of the art containership’s series, begins its first voyage today, Friday, April 19th in Pusan, South Korea.

Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, this giant of the seas, owned by CMA CGM, displays exceptional dimensions: 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters and sails under the UK flag. In line with the sustainable development policy of the Group, the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

The CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT is the second of a series of three 16 000 TEU vessels, all to be named after great explorers. The delivery of the third vessel of the series, the CMA CGM JULES VERNE, which will sail under the French flag, is expected at the beginning of May 2013.

The CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT will be christened, Tuesday 30th May 2013 in Hamburg, in presence of her godmother, Dr. Dorothee Stapelfeldt, Second Mayor of Hamburg, Mr. Olaf Scholz, Mayor of Hamburg and Mr. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer .

Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the « French Asia Line » (FAL 1), the CMA CGM ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT will call at Pusan (19 April), Qingdao (21 April), Ningbo (24 April), Shanghai (26 April), Xiamen (29 April), Hong Kong (30 April), Chiwan (1 May), Yantian (2 May), Port Kelang (6 May), Suez (19 May), Tanger (23 May), Southampton (27 May), Hamburg (29 May), Bremerhaven (31 May), Rotterdam (2 June), Zeebrugge (3 June), Le Havre (5 June), Malta (11 June), Suez (14 June), Khor Al Fakkan (22 June), Jebel Ali (24 June), Port Kelang (3 July) and Ningbo (10 July).

CMA CGM announces the launching of the REX 3 service from Asia to South Red Sea

CMA CGM — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:12:24 +0200

CMA CGM is pleased to announce the launching of a new fixed day weekly service on the Asia – Red Sea route, the REX 3 service, on May 2nd, 2013.

Complementing the existing REX 2 service, which focuses on Red Sea Northern Ports (Jeddah, Sokhna, Aqaba), the new REX 3 will connect Asia to Red Sea Southern ports via Colombo, Sri Lanka, thus offering a global coverage of the region with calls at six ports of the Red Sea.

Through its call in Colombo, the REX 3 service will provide full coverage of South Indian markets, thanks to CMA CGM’s feeder network.

The new REX 3 will also offer the fastest transit time from Asia to Port Sudan (Shanghai – Port Sudan: 28 days) and some of the best transit times to the Ethiopian market via Djibouti and to Aden.

As from May 2nd, 2013, in Tanjung Pelepas, the REX 3 will be operated along the following schedule:

Port Kelang > Tanjung Pelepas > Colombo > Djibouti > Aden > Jeddah > Port Sudan, > Djibouti > Colombo > Port Kelang.

Stéphane Courquin, Vice president CMA CGM Asia MED & NAF lines declares: “With the launching of the new REX 3 service which complements its existing offer, CMA CGM confirms its intention to meet its customers expectation through the provision of ever more reliable services as well as to contribute to the development of Red Sea markets.”

CMA CGM revenue restoration program

CMA CGM — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:44:49 +0200

GENERAL RATE INCREASE

Effective May 1st, 2013:

From North Europe (North Continent, Scandinavia, Baltic, UK) to the Far East (China, Japan, Korea, & South East Asia countries)

+ USD 125 per TEU

Most influential: Jacques Saadé: champion of French liner shipping

CMA CGM — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Press article written by Andrew Spurrier, Fairplay magazine, May 16th

Most influential: Jacques Saadé: champion of French liner shipping

There have been other founders of shipping companies in France over the past 130 years but none can claim to have matched the achievement of Jacques Saadé.

At a time when French shipping was in general decline and the large liner companies that had built their trading empires during the colonial era were disappearing one after another, he reversed the general mood of gloom afflicting French shipping during the 1980s and early 1990s.

He demonstrated in a remarkably brief period of time that it was still possible for a French company to succeed in the liner trades and even to become one of the global giants that dominate the sector.

Ironically, it was in taking over state-owned Compagnie Générale Maritime, a company formed through the merger of two former giants of the colonial era, in 1996 that the company, which had until then been known as Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement, began its fast forward rise to global ascendancy.

That takeover, for an astonishingly modest FF20M (€3M), was surrounded by controversy as CMA was accused of having benefited from political support from France’s then right-wing government to obtain control of CGM.

Saadé was accused, too, by his younger brother and co-shareholder in CMA, Johnny, of having unlawfully taken control of the jointly owned Saadé family holding company to carry out the transaction without his consent.

The legal battle between the two brothers continued for several years but Jacques succeeded in keeping control of the group which, as CMA CGM, began climbing rapidly up the container shipping rankings.

Today, the Marseille-based company, which began its life in 1978 as operator of a single line between Lebanon and the French Mediterranean port of Marseille, is the world’s third-biggest container carrier behind Mediterranean Shipping Company and Maersk Line.

According to its own data, it operated a fleet of 414 ships on 170 routes at the end of last year, when it carried containerised cargo totalling 10.6M teu. It employs 18,000 people worldwide and maintains 650 agencies and offices around the world, including 64 in China alone.

Financially, too, the company is a giant. Its revenues increased by 7% last year to $15.9Bn and, following a $5M loss in 2011, it made a strong return to profit, with net income totaling $361M.

What has characterised the company most over the years has been its ability to spot and seize opportunities. The eastern Mediterranean origins of Beirut-born Saadé and his faithful number two Farid Salem have, arguably, given them the advantage of a non-Eurocentric view of world development. This enabled them to spot the economic potential of China at an early stage.

It is interesting to note, for instance, that CMA CGM opened an office in Shanghai as early as 1992 and that China quickly became the company’s biggest source of cargo. The takeover of CGM was another crucial seized opportunity in the life of the company. State-owned CGM had dropped all pretentions to a global role at the time of the takeover but had been largely relieved of its loss-making activities. It also had a useful owned fleet and lines with considerable strategic potential, including a round-the-world service and trans-Atlantic services to the French Caribbean and South America.

Most importantly, however, CGM came with a FF1.3Bn (€198M) cash injection from the French government, supposedly to put the company on a viable footing and make it an attractive prospect for would-be buyers.

In any case, CMA knew what to do with its acquisition and was soon climbing towards the position it occupies among the leaders of the container shipping sector today. The family-controlled company came close to ruin when the global economic crisis led to a trade collapse in 2009, leaving it overstretched with a huge $5Bn debt and under pressure from its bankers to accept a radical financial restructuring.

Jacques Saadé and his senior management team, which includes son Rodolphe and daughter Tanya, fought tenaciously, however, to keep the company under family control and, helped by an unlikely white knight in the form of Turkey’s Yildirim group and a rapid albeit uneven trade recovery, have piloted the company intact through its difficulties, with 70% of its capital still firmly in Saadé family hands.

Excessive capacity has rendered trading conditions difficult in the container shipping sector this year but the group can be trusted to find solutions to the vagaries of the market as it always has in the past.

Reducing slot costs has long been a central tenet of its development strategy and, with its finances now stabilised and three 16,000 teu vessels newly entered into service, it is unlikely to be the first casualty of the freight rates war currently in progress.

CMA CGM announces the opening of its new Dry Port in Baghdad

CMA CGM — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:57:04 +0100

After over thirty three years of continuous presence in Iraq, the CMA CGM Group is pleased to announce the opening of its new bonded Dry Port* near Baghdad in the Abu Ghreib area, in Iraq, in June 2013.

Exclusively managed and operated by CMA CGM, the Dry Port will be the only one in Iraq, giving customers the opportunity, for the first time, to custom clear their cargo near Baghdad instead of Umm Qasr, according their convenience time. This important upgrade shows the intention of the CMA CGM Group to facilitate its customers’ business in Iraq and to strengthen its roots in this flourishing market.

The Dry Port will be ideally connected to CMA CGM’s inland transportation network, with a possible railway connection 3km away from the site and fast in bond transit from Umm Qasr. The storage facilities for full containers, LCL and refrigerated cargo will benefit from 24 hours surveillance and security services, keeping the cargo safe at all times.

With 4 offices strategically located in Iraq, 2 dedicated feeders connecting the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr with Khorfakkan hub, the exclusive concession of the Terminal No.4 in Umm Qasr port, and the opening of this new dry port, CMA CGM confirms its leadership position in the Iraqi market in terms of volume, service, and innovation, and encourages the development of commercial activities and the creation of new businesses in this strongly developing market.

Specifications of the Dry Port

Total Surface: 165 000 sqm
Yard Surface: 90 000 sqm
Storage capacity: 12 000 TEUs
Total construction: 8 500 sqm divided into 7 building units
Onsite CMA CGM administration building
Container scanner avoiding time consuming manual inspections
Custom offices located inside the Dry Port

* A Dry port (also called inland port) is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a center for the transshipment of sea cargo to inland destinations.
In addition to their role in cargo transshipment, dry ports may also include facilities for storage and consolidation of goods, maintenance for road or rail cargo carriers and customs clearance services.

CMA CGM revenue restoration program

CMA CGM — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:53:05 +0100

Please find below, the CMA CGM Group’s rate restoration and surcharge program:

GENERAL RATE INCREASE

Effective April 15th, 2013

From North Europe, the United Kingdom, and Nordic Countries to the Indian Sub-continent
+USD 150 per 20’
+USD 200 per 40’
(Dry cargo)

From all Asian ports (including Japan, South East Asia and Bangladesh) to all Northern European Ports (including UK and the full range from Portugal to Russia), to West Med, Adriatic, East Med, Black Sea and North Africa.
+USD 550 per TEU
(Dry cargo, OOG’s, Paying Empties, Break-bulk and Reefer cargo)

Effective April 16th, 2013

From North Europe (UK, Scandinavia, North Continent) to the Middle East Gulf and Red Sea:
+USD 100 per 20’
+USD 150 per 40’
(Dry cargo)

2012 Results

CMA CGM — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:29:44 +0100

Consolidated revenue rose by 7% in 2012, to $15.9 billion from $14.9 billion in 2011, led by the 6% growth in volumes carried, to 10.6 million TEUs from 10.0 million in 2011.

During the year, CMA CGM has successfully implemented its action plan, which has generated $800 million savings, well ahead of the initial target.

As a result, EBITDA improved by a sharp 82% year-on-year to $ 1,324 million, for an operating margin (EBIT) of 6.3%, the industry’s highest (as yet announced). Consolidated net profit stood at $361 million for the year.

In addition to this robust operating performance, CMA CGM has significantly strengthened its balance sheet with:

Signing of the sale of 49% of Terminal Link for € 400m.
Closing of $ 100 million equity injection from Yildirim
Signing of $ 150 million equity injection from FSI (Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement)
Closing of the agreement with its Banks regarding its debt restructuring.

Outlook

In early 2013, freight rates levels are higher than in early 2012. World demand is expected to vary by region, remaining weak inbound Europe but showing more positive trends elsewhere, especially in the United States, Russia and emerging markets (particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America).
With its extensive coverage of the global market and improved cost efficiency, CMA CGM expects an operating performance for 2013 in line with 2012, based on current market conditions.

Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM’s Executive Officer, said: “2012 was an important year for CMA CGM, which delivered a very good performance. As we had announced, we also completed our financial restructuring and significantly strengthened our balance sheet with the sale of a new equity interest to FSI and an additional stake to Yildirim.
We have therefore begun 2013 on solid foundations from which to pursue our growth.”

Financial highlights

	2011	2012	% Change
Revenue in $ billions	14.9	15.9	+7%
EBITDA in $ millions	729	1.324	+82%
Net profit/(loss)* in $ millions	-5	361	-
ROIC (Return on Invested Capital)	4,9%	10,6%	-
Volumes carried, in TEU** millions	10,0	10,6	+6%
Shipping fleet	394	414	+5%
Fleet capacity, in TEU** millions	1.345	1.446	+8%

* Net income attributable to owners of the parent amount to $ 332m in 2012 versus $ -35m in 2011
** TEU = twenty-foot equivalent units

2012 年业绩

良好的经营模式结合牢靠的金融结构

2012 年CMA CGM 集团通过成功实现全球行动计划，整体业绩超过预期目标。

世界第三大海运集团法国CMA CGM 集团，在总裁兼首席执行官Jacques R. Saadé 的主持下召开了董事会，审度2012 年集团财务报表。

2012 年CMA CGM 集团创下159 亿美元营业额的佳绩，与2011 年的149 亿美元相比增长了 7%。营业额的显著增长归功于业务量增加6%，由2011 年的1 千万个标准箱增加到2012 年的1 千6 百万。

同时，CMA CGM 集团还成功实现了成本控制，全年节省了8 亿美元的开销，远远高于既定目标。

集团2012 年的毛利润（EBITDA）相比2011 年大幅增长了82%，达到13 亿2 千4 百万美元，利润率（EBIT）达到6.3%，为同行业最佳业绩。由此，2012 年度集团合并净利润总额为3 亿6 千1 百万美元。

除良好的经营之外，CMA CGM 还对集团金融结构进行了有效的调整：

将子公司 Terminal Link 49%的股权以4 亿欧元的价格转让；
获得 FSI（战略投资基金）1 亿5 千万美元注资；
获得 Yildirim 集团1 亿美元的注资；
完成与银行进行债务重组的协定。

展望：

2013 年刚开始，集团货运率就普遍高于去年同期的水平。2013 年全球的需求应根据不同的地区而有所差异，虽然欧洲地区仍处于疲软，但美国、俄罗斯及其它发展中国家（尤其是亚洲、非洲和南美洲国家）市场会出现更令人乐观的趋势。

通过集团强大的业务和控制成本的能力，在现有的市场条件下，CMA CGM 将沿着2012 年的脚步，于2013 年再创新高。

Rodolphe Saadé，CMA CGM 集团总裁兼首席执行官宣布：“2012 年是重要的一年，CMA CGM 在经营上取得了不凡的业绩。同时我们也履行了承诺，通过FSI 基金和Yildirim 的参股注资，实现了集团的金融重组。

在此坚实的基础上，我们相信2013 年的前景会更加乐观。”

重要数字

	2011	2012	浮动, %
营业额（单位：10 亿美元）	14.9	15.9	+7%
毛利润EBITDA（单位：百万美元）	729	1.324	+82%
净利润（单位：百万美元）	-5	361	-
完成运载量（单位：百万EVP*）	10,0	10,6	+6%
发船数量其中集团所属船舶	394 91	414 84	+5% -8%
货船载货量（单位：百万EVP*）	1.345	1.446	+8%

*EVP = 20 英尺标准集装箱

CMA CGM implements leading edge technology

CMA CGM — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:32:19 +0100

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO, the world’s largest containership (16 000 TEU*), is equipped with the latest environmental technological innovations.

The CMA CGM Group has finalized the purchase of 50 000 bamboo eco-containers.

To mark a week celebrating sustainable development initiatives in France, CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping company and number one in France, reaffirms its long standing commitment to global environmental policy defined by Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. The battle against climate change, the preservation of the oceans, and the ecological solutions offered to customers are an essential part of the Group’s activity and organization.

CMA CGM implements concrete actions to minimize the impact of its activities on the environment, and develops new ecological solutions.

1/ Innovative ships using the latest environmental technologies:

The CMA CGM Marco Polo will soon be followed by the delivery of the CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt and the CMA CGM Jules Verne in May and June 2013, all three carrying the following equipment:

An electronically controlled engine which significantly reduces CO2 emissions
An “Exhaust Gas Bypass” system, which improves the energetic efficiency of the vessel when slow steaming, reducing CO2 emissions by 1.5% at low speeds.
A twisted leading edge rudder improving the hydrodynamics of the vessel (optimisation of the water flow), and significantly reducing energy expenditures as well as CO2 emissions.
A Pre-Swirl Stator® which straightens the water flow upstream from the propeller in order to improve its efficiency . Combined with the twisted leading edge rudder, this innovation optimizes the hydrodynamics of the vessel and makes it possible to reduce by 2 to 4% energy consumption of and atmospheric emissions.
An optimized hull design significantly improving the propulsion of the vessel into the water.
A ballast water treatment system, to preserve the biodiversity of the oceans.

Other innovations show the commitment of CMA CGM regarding its vessel fleet : the Fast Oil Recovery System, the emergency towing system, the trash compactor combined with the sorting of recyclables, and additional tanks for treating bilge, engine and grey waters.

2/ An alternative propulsion system for greener ships

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is a promising fuel for the shipping industry. It is a clean fuel, very poor in sulfur, and producing significantly less nitrogen oxide and CO2 than other fuels. Moreover, gas is in abundant supply .

Furthermore, four-stroke engines, also known as « dual fuel » engines, are now widespread in the industry.

This is why the CMA CGM Group is working with shipyards and ranking agencies such as Bureau Veritas and DNV on several projects of LNG-fueled containerships. It is in this context that a joint project with Bureau Veritas and the shipyard DSME was carried out, leading to preliminary approval of the studies and specifications.

3/ Significant reduction of CO2 emissions

As part of its environmental policy, the CMA CGM Group is committed to reducing its emissions (CO2, sulfur), to limit the impact of its activities: In 2012, the CO2 performance of the Group improved by 6%. Since 2005, the CMA CGM Group has already reduced its CO2 emissions by 37% per container transported and per kilometer, making it the most impressive reduction in the history of the industry, and is aiming for a reduction of 50% by 2015. In order to cut back its sulfur emissions, CMA CGM chooses to use a fuel of a higher-quality than required by the current regulation, with sulfur concentration estimated at 2.57% (or lower in certain areas) instead of 3.5%.

The Group also decided to improve the energy efficiency of its fleet by reducing the speed of its vessels, allowing both a reduction of carbon emissions and of fossil fuel consumption of fuel

4/ Voluntary commitment to protect the environment

Perfectly illustrating the strong commitment of the Group towards the preservation of the environment, CMA CGM entered an ISO 14001 certification procedure for the management of the Group’s ships It is an environmental management system based on continuous improvement of environmental performance, protection of the environment and prevention of pollution. The CMA CGM Group is aiming for certification by the end of 2013.

The Group is involved in landmark initiatives such as the “Green Cargo Group”, of which CMA CGM has been a member since 2003, and whose goal is to draft measures to evaluate and improve freight transport.
The CMA CGM Group is also a member of the “Charte Bleue Armateurs de France”. By signing this charter, the Group confirms its commitment to prevent and manage pollution risks, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to manage garbage and waste effectively.
In addition, CMA CGM is a member of the “Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association”, and has signed a charter on the use of fuel with low sulfur content as the only fuel for all ships calling at Hong Kong.

5/ Ecological solutions

The CMA CGM Group is constantly innovating and is working on the development of eco-containers. On the Group’s largest ships, the use of such containers allows savings of up to one or two tons of fuel per day, representing a reduction of up to three to six tons of CO2 emissions.

Bamboo eco-containers: In 2005, CMA CGM was the first to develop and invest in bamboo-floored containers. These innovative units have a dual purpose: to limit the use of rare tropical wood species, while improving the container’s technical qualities. The Group has just finalized the purchase of 50 000 bamboo eco-containers with 25 000 Light Steel containers.
Light Steel containers: In 2008, the Group entered a new phase with the introduction of a fleet of the first Light Steel containers. They are manufactured from an extremely strong High Tensile steel which saves 550kg of the high-cube container’s tare weight, without compromising its structural qualities.
Low energy reefers: The Group owns 26 000 reefers (specialised containers for perishable goods, requiring energy and refrigerant gases) fitted with low energy motors which reduce by up to three times electricity and fuel consumption.
Eko-Flor containers: The floor of these containers contains no wood. It is made from synthetic resin and has many advantages: lighter weight, which reduces energy costs when transporting the container, complete resistance to all types of products (water, oil, odors, germs ...)

Ludovic Gérard, CMA Ships Vice President, declares: “Ever cleaner ships will be a requirement in the near future for cargo transportation. All of our teams are committed to this process: both in the day to day management and continuous improvement process of the existing fleet, but also with the conception of tomorrow’s vessels. This qualitative approach is now acknowledged and appreciated by CMA CGM’s clients. I am very proud of the work done by our teams, which will be, I am sure, soon rewarded by the ISO 14001 certificate.”

*TEU: Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit

To discover the CMA CGM Group actions in terms of preservation of the environment:
http://www.cma-cgm.com../../Environment
http://www.cma-cgm-environment.com