No respite for CMA CGM. Despite the barriers of protectionism that are multiplying, the French champion of maritime transport focuses more than ever on an expansion of world trade. Witness the inauguration, Thursday, September 6, at le Havre (Seine-Maritime), a new boat, huge, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. “The largest container carrier in the world flying the flag of france “, extasient in a chorus, the economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, and his counterpart in charge of transport, Elizabeth Terminal, called to launch the traditional bottle of champagne against its powerful hull. The Long 400 meters, the “Saint-Ex” can, by itself, transporting 20 600 containers filled with toys, computers, furniture kit, orange juice, or live lobster. Two other giants are the same, the Jean-Mermoz and Louis Blériot, have joined the group’s fleet by the end of 2018.
The CEO, Rodolphe Saadé, who succeeded his father, Jacques, who died on the 24th of June, does not, however, purchase of new vessels to transport ever more goods. Behind the scenes, it activates to make the company grow with a bang, thanks to a merger. “You look at a lot of opportunities,” says the boss of CMA CGM, the World. We are very open. The group is ready for a new great acquisition. As soon as there will be an opportunity that truly creates value, we will grab it. “
In the field, the summer has been disappointing. CMA CGM has discreetly approached one of its main rivals, Hapag-Lloyd, in view of a merger by exchange of shares, as well as the revealed to Reuters news agency, 9 July. But the main shareholders of the German group rejected the French proposal. CMA CGM has closed the file. “This possibility is not, or more, to the order of the day,” commented soberly Mr. Saade.
“Our priority is to have a profitable growth ”
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