This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.
A world leader in shipping and logistics, the CMA CGM Group is continuously innovating and shaping the global developments in the industry. In 2019, under the leadership of Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and dhief executive officer, the group thus operated a strategic transformation with the acquisition of CEVA Logistics, confirming our position as a leading worldwide shipping and logistics group, present in 160 countries, 110,000 people strong and generating over 30 billion USD in revenue. The group is now able to offer its customers a comprehensive end-to-end solution across the supply chain, including maritime transportation, airfreight, purchase order management, contract logistics, and customs clearance.
This strategic move is fully in line with the CMA CGM Group’s customer centricity strategy aimed at going beyond regular commercial relationships by implementing real partnerships, tailored to the customer’s needs. Recent innovations include SHIPFIN, a new range of trade finance solutions to support the development of our customers’ business, and the Reefer Pharma Division, which leverages our reefer expertise for the temperature-controlled transportation of pharmaceutical products.
Another key lever for growth, differentiation, and performance is innovation, mainly in digitization. As proof of its commitment, the Group launched this year an entirely digital ecosystem comprising an online agency and other e-commerce channels to enhance our clients’ business. In addition, Rodolphe Saadé has initiated ZEBOX, an international incubator and accelerator for innovative startups located in Marseille, France.
Finally, the CMA CGM Group is committed to offering ever more environmentally friendly transportation solutions, in line with customers’ growing environmental awareness, as evidenced by the group’s leading role in the energy transition of the industry. CMA CGM is thus pioneering the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a real technological breakthrough which yields significant environmental benefits. By the end of 2022, the CMA CGM Group will have around 20 LNG-powered vessels, including nine 23,000-TEU containerships.