French line drives growth in reeefer sector

French line CMA CGM has set itself ambitious targets for 2015 as it continues to push ahead with its Africa growth agenda. “Reefers will be a strong focus for us,” CMA CGM Shipping Agencies South Africa CEO Esteve Servajean told FTW. “We have invested a lot and will continue to invest. It’s an area in which CMA CGM wants to be a world leader. We invest in new plugs, new technology and new equipment and we expand the reefer fleet every year.” The line recently set up a reefer desk in Cape Town manned by a team of specialists who keep track of shipments from quotation to delivery at destination. “Three staff members are dedicated to the service desk which was launched in September – in time for the grape season in November – and so far it’s been extremely well received by our customers.” South Africa is a big market for reefer traffic to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and increasingly West Africa, Servajean said. “CMA CGM is well placed in West Africa thanks to the purchase of Africa specialist Delmas. It’s definitely a booming market with major growth potential and we are determined to grow our market share.” “But reefer equipment in particular involves huge investment by the carriers. It is a costly added value service,” he told FTW. In order to ensure the long-term viability of the industry, Servajean believes partnership is the way to go. Customer buy-in is critical for long-term sustainability, in his view. The focus on reefer growth is all part and parcel of the line’s objective to elevate its profile in the southern African market. “CMA CGM is number three worldwide. We are currently number four in this market whereas we held position 12 two years ago.” Greater involvement on the inland leg is also a key focus – but details of its plans were still under wraps when this issue went to press. In the past three years CMA CGM has doubled its SA volumes from 60 000 TEUs in 2012 to just under 120 000 currently. Servajean expects to see more of the same going forward. INSERT & CAPTION CMA CGM is number three worldwide. We are currently number four in this market whereas we held position 12 two years ago. – Esteve Servajean