French line to extend expertise on shore

The world’s third biggest container carrier, CMA CGM Lines, has grown its Africa services considerably in the last seven years, and is now ranked as a major shipping line brand on this continent, according to Arnaud Thibault, regional director for Africa and Australia. But its subsidiary line, Delmas, has an 88-year history on the Europe-Africa trade – having started its international shipping in 1925 with imports of mahogany from the state of Gabon. After World War II the company began to specialise in the Africa-European trade. “The Delmas and CMA CGM line brands offer importers and exporters in Africa dedicated shipping services,” Thibault told FTW. “Indeed, Delmas is recognised as the expert container line for Africa, currently stopping at 48 ports of call in Africa and servicing 42 countries.” In addition to shipping lines, its core business activity, the CMA CGM group is also investing in landside activities in Africa such as the inland container depot (ICD) in Senegal. “And there are many more to come,” Thibault said, “including carrier haulage, both rail and road, and freight forwarding (including airfreight), with CMA CGM Logistics.” “Moving forward,” said Mathieu Friedberg, vice-president Africa Lines, “CMA CGM believes that in the years to come its competitiveness will be based on its ability to extend its shipping expertise on shore and provide its customers with all the relevant services once the container hits the African ground. “Africa is clearly identified as a key priority development from our top management for the years to come.” Having opened its own agencies and with representation in all African countries, all using its worldwide system, the company’s corporate tools make a big difference, according to Friedberg. “We have even invested in satellite connections in some African offices to make sure our communication is up and running 24/7,” he said. INSERT Investing in landside activities in Africa such as the inland container depot in Senegal. – Arnaud Thibault