40 years ago, on September 13th, 1978, Jacques R SAADÉ launched the first maritime line between Marseilles and Beirut, with only one ship and 4 employees. This day marked the beginning of an extraordinary human and entrepreneurial adventure. 40 years later, CMA CGM has become a recognized company, with 34,000 employees and a presence in more than 160 countries.
Indian Saga
CMA CGM a world leader in container transportation having its head office in Marseilles France, set its footprint in India in the year 1989. The journey began with the opening of its first office in Mumbai for North-west India operations with the help of Container Marine Agency and in the southern India by the Transorld Group.
The first service commenced with dedicated feeder services connecting India to the Middle East Gulf with the vessels Ville De Colombo and Ville De Dubai.
In the mid 90’s with the global container trade gathering momentum CMA CGM focused on the India to Europe trade and launched its first ever direct service in 1995 which today is known as the EPIC service. In 1998, CMA CGM made a strategic move with the acquisition of ANL, whereby, new opportunities were opened from India to Oceania.
In its commitment to offer more services as per the demands of the market, CMA CGM in 2002 launched the service connecting India to US trade lane – currently known as the IndaMex service. Acquisition of DELMAS in 2005 broadened the horizon of CMA CGM making the Group, a market leader. In the Africa trade which was complemented with the launch of dedicated services from India to Africa – Swahili Express and the MIDAS service.
While the trade in North of India continued to grow, the south of India witnessed enormous growth contributing to almost 30 per cent of the all India trade. CMA CGM seized this opportunity and introduced the NEMO service which today is the only service which connects two key ports in the southern India direct to Europe.
In 2007 the Group launched its first direct service from South India to Europe – NEMO service connecting Chennai with Europe.
India was fast developing in the millennium and a lot of developments were witnessed in the containerised industry. Multimodal transport started gaining momentum and this necessitated the development of CFS & ICD’s across India. Citing an opportunity, the group expanded its vertical into inland operations and started AMEYA LOGISTICS, its own CFS with local partners in 2009.
This was followed by the subsequent investments in landside activities such as developing more ICDs – CMA CGM logistics park Dadri, CFS – Honeycomb in Mundra and running of dedicated block trains to cater to the requirements of its customers.
During the last decade, which was quite challenging for shipping lines, however CMA CGM’s strategy was well defined and under the leadership of SAADÉ Family while Ocean Alliance was setup, CMA CGM took over APL in 2016.
2017, saw a lot of developments beginning with Mr Rodolphe SAADÉ appointed as CEO and Chairman globally for CMA CGM, his confidence on the growth potential in India marked his first official visit in April 2017. This visit triggered entry of CMA CGM in terminals space in India with the launch of CT4 Terminal in Mundra – a Joint venture with Adani ports.
The successful launch of terminal was complimented by more services being commenced from various key gateway ports.
CMA CGM today has its India head office in state of the art building of Indiabulls finance Centre with a PAN India staff strength of over 5000 employees in its 30 branch offices forming one of the largest presence for the group globally.
The Group operates 14 weekly mainline services offered via 6 gateway & 7 feeder ports with the customer service support of 4 globally shared service centers. CMA CGM has 6 container freight stations &1 Inland container depot in joint partnership with Ameyaa Logistics & LCL Logistix.
CMA CGM India caters to 50+ inland locations connecting all major gateway and feeder ports across the West and East Coast of India.
