| 1978 |
The CMA CGM Group's story begins with founder Jacques Saadé recognizing the potential of containers for global trade and creating a shipping company with four staff members, one ship, and a route between Beirut, Latakia, Livorno, and Marseille. |
| 1978 |
The initial Mediterranean service was developed to include North America, and CMA bought its first ships, Ville d’Orient and Ville du Levant. |
| 1978 |
Jacques Saadé creates Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) in Marseille. |
| 1983 |
CMA continues to extend its shipping lines and crosses the Suez Canal for the first time. |
| 1986 |
CMA became a fast-growing young company with a solid market position, opening offices in Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai, and across China, employing 2,000 people at 63 agencies. |
| 1986 |
Start of the Asian adventure with the extension of the Northern Europe - Red Sea line to Asia. |
| 1987 |
After extending our Northern Europe – Red Sea line as far as Asia, in 1987 we signed a business agreement with major shipping companies serving the Red Sea Express, the shipping route from China to Egypt. |
| 1990 |
In the 1990s, with the globalization of trade gaining pace, CMA CGM led the charge with a series of structural projects to propel the Group to become one of the leading names in its sector. |
| 1992 |
CMA enters China and opens its first office in Shanghai. |
| 1994 |
1994 marked a new historic turning point with the launch of the France Asia Line or FAL. This dense and extremely active network allowed our clients to benefit from eight shipping routes between China and Northern Europe. |
| 1996 |
In June 1996, the Group wrote the next chapter in its history by acquiring Compagnie Générale Maritime. |
| 1996 |
CMA acquires CGM and gives rise to a French shipping giant. |
| 1998 |
Acquisition of ANL, leader in the transpacific market. |
| 1999 |
CGM merged with CMA in 1999, giving it a rapid boost. Together, they formed the world’s 12th-largest shipping conglomerate at the time. |
| 2004 |
60-car trains transported up to 120 containers between Le Havre and Marseille, where they were loaded for immediate departure to Algeria. |
| 2005 |
Acquisition of Delmas and creation of the CMA CGM Foundation. |
| 2011 |
The Tour CMA CGM, home to the new head office, was inaugurated in Marseille. The building was designed by Zaha Hadid and is the tallest skyscraper in Marseille. |
| 2011 |
Inauguration of Tour CMA CGM, designed by Zaha Hadid, the CMA CGM Group’s new head office in Marseille. |
| 2012 |
All multimodal services were pooled within “Greenmodal Transport”, combining shipping with road and rail services. CCIS was created as a new entity dedicated to developing land transportation solutions. |
| 2013 |
The CMA CGM Jules Verne was delivered, measuring 396 meters long with a capacity of 16,000 TEU. It was the biggest container ship to fly the French flag on the world's biggest shipping route at the time. |
| 2013 |
CMA CGM obtained ISO 14001 certification as a result of investments in ecological containers and ships equipped with the latest technologies and innovations to help protect the environment. |
| 2014 |
Acquisition of OPDR, specialist in short sea shipping and door-to-door logistics solutions. |
| 2015 |
A logistics platform was managed in Cuba in cooperation with a local company, and the concession for the Kribi and Kingston container terminals was obtained. A new logistics platform was opened in Douala, Cameroon. |
| 2016 |
In 2016, we also acquired NOL, the biggest shipping company listed on the Singapore stock exchange. |
| 2016 |
Acquisition of APL: CMA CGM strengthens its position on the transpacific |
| 2017 |
Rodolphe Saadé was appointed CEO of the CMA CGM Group, initiating a new phase focused on innovation, digitalization, logistics, intermodal transportation, and energy transition. |
| 2017 |
In 2017 we stepped up the rollout of new generation tools and services, including mobile apps, an e-commerce platform and smart containers. We also interconnected our systems in order to exchange reliable information with clients in real time and adapt to their needs as best possible. |
| 2017 |
In 2017, we were the first company in the sector to choose liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power nine new giant 23,000 TEU container ships. |
| 2017 |
Rodolphe Saadé is appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group. Order for nine giant LNG-powered vessels. |
| 2018-06 |
In June 2018, we were behind the creation of ZEBOX, an international start-up incubator and accelerator, located at the Cité de l’Innovation et des Savoirs Aix-Marseille. |
| 2019 |
In 2019, CMA CGM took a major step forward with the acquisition of logistics giant CEVA Logistics. |
| 2019 |
We announced that our fleet would not be using the Northern Sea Route connecting Asia to Europe, in order to protect biodiversity in the Arctic region. |
| 2019 |
Successful friendly takeover bid for CEVA Logistics. |
| 2020 |
Launch of the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the Group’s new flagship and the first 23,000 TEU container ship powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). |
| 2021 |
CMA MEDIA, the media division of the CMA CGM Group, was launched. |
| 2021 |
Creation of the CMA CGM AIR CARGO division. |
| 2021-02 |
In February 2021, CMA CGM AIR CARGO was created, our new division dedicated to air freight with four cargo planes with capacity of 60 tons each. |
| 2022 |
Acquisition of Colis Privé, GEFCO, and Ingram CLS to strengthen strategic development in logistics. |
| 2022 |
Strengthening our position in air freight by becoming a new reference shareholder of Air France-KLM. |
| 2022 |
Creation of PULSE, a €1.5 billion Fund for Energies to accelerate the energy transition in transport and logistics. |
| 2022 |
Acquisition of La Provence and Corse Matin, and of a minority stake in Groupe M6, enabling the Group to expand its media activities. |
| 2023 |
Acquisition of La Méridionale, a further step in the development of CMA CGM's specialized shipping division. |
| 2024 |
CMA MEDIA completed the acquisition of BFM TV, BFM Business, and RMC, expanding its presence across all distribution channels. |
| 2024 |
Strengthening CMA CGM's logistics expertise in differentiating, high value-added sectors with the acquisition of Bolloré Logistics. |
| 2024 |
CMA CGM inaugurates TANGRAM, the Group's global center for training and innovation, where the future of transport and logistics is being shaped. |
| 2024 |
BFMTV, BFM Business, and RMC join CMA Media, the media subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group. |
| 2024 |
Inauguration of two social innovations by the CMA CGM Foundation: the Solidarity Warehouse and the Pharmabox, designed to meet the needs of NGOs and associations, in support of vulnerable populations. |
| 2025 |
Majority shareholder of Santos Brasil, a multi-terminal operator established in the country and owner of the largest container terminal in South America. |
| 2025 |
Acquisition of Air Belgium’s cargo business, accelerating CMA CGM Group’s expansion in air freight in Europe. |
| 2025 |
Acquisition of the digital media Brut. by CMA Media, a leading pure player present in more than 100 countries. |
| 2025 |
CEVA Logistics strengthens its last-mile offering in France with the acquisition of MIPI by Colis Privé. |
