CMA CGM Group Announces $20 Billion Investment in U.S. Maritime and Logistics Sectors
CMA CGM Group has revealed plans for a substantial $20 billion investment in the U.S. maritime and logistics sectors, building upon its existing initiatives to expand its port terminals and logistics operations in the country. The announcement was made during a meeting between Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé and President Donald Trump, where Saadé hinted at potential U.S. shipbuilding endeavors.
The French group currently owns seven terminals in the U.S., including strategic locations in the Port of New York New Jersey and Los Angeles. Additionally, CMA CGM acquired APL, formerly known as American President Lines, as part of its 2016 acquisition of Neptune Orient Lines.
Saadé stated, “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. I am proud to strengthen our longstanding relationship with the United States through this $20 billion commitment to the country’s maritime future and logistics capabilities.”
CMA CGM Group’s investments over the next four years aim to enhance American maritime capabilities and align with the U.S. administration’s focus on bolstering domestic shipbuilding capabilities. With a 35-year history of serving U.S. markets, the group handles approximately 5 million TEU annually in the U.S. out of the 23 million TEU transported globally in 2024.
One key aspect of the investment strategy involves expanding APL’s U.S. flag capacity. Saadé expressed the company’s ambition to triple the size of its U.S.-flagged fleet to 30 ships, although it remains unclear whether these vessels will operate under APL or within the CMA CGM fleet. In 2020, CMA CGM integrated APL’s express services into its own operations while positioning APL as a niche player catering to the U.S. Government and Guam-Pacific trade.
The company did not disclose specific allocation details of the $20 billion investment but confirmed that it would encompass terminal and logistics operations, as well as the expansion of its air cargo business.
CMA CGM Group intends to enhance port infrastructure in key U.S. locations such as New York, Los Angeles, Dutch Harbor, Houston, and Miami to streamline operations and supply chains. These investments will drive digitization, improve connectivity, and enhance safety for port workers and cargo handling.
Future Growth Initiatives
In addition to its U.S. expansion plans, CMA CGM Group has been actively pursuing growth opportunities globally. In 2023, the carrier announced a $600 million investment following the acquisition of terminals in Bayonne, New Jersey, and Staten Island, New York. Earlier in 2022, CMA CGM finalized the acquisition of Fenix Marine Services (FMS), a major terminal operator at the Port of Los Angeles.
Further investments will focus on strengthening U.S. logistics and supply chain infrastructure through the development of new warehousing and automotive logistics platforms. The group will also expand its American air cargo capacity, including establishing a new hub in Chicago and deploying five new Boeing 777 freighters. Additionally, CMA CGM plans to inaugurate a logistics R&D hub in Boston, emphasizing advanced robotics and automation solutions.
The U.S. investment strategy aligns with CMA CGM Group’s broader growth agenda. With a fleet of over 300 vessels and more than 650 operated vessels, the company has an additional 94 vessels on order from shipyards in China and South Korea. The U.S. shipbuilding plans may serve as a strategic move to mitigate potential fees imposed by the Trump administration on carriers utilizing Chinese-built ships.
Recent reports linked CMA CGM to a $2.6 billion order placed with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for twelve new containerships, highlighting the carrier’s ongoing collaboration with Chinese shipbuilders. In 2023, CMA CGM disclosed ordering over 70 containerships to be constructed in China.
Overall, CMA CGM’s significant investment in the U.S. maritime and logistics sectors underscores its commitment to fortifying American operations and advancing the country’s maritime capabilities in alignment with evolving industry trends.