Exceptional Tribute Paid to Jacques R. Saadé
The death of Jacques R. Saadé, Founding President of the CMA CGM Group, roused an emotional response within the Group, in the entire maritime transportation industry and beyond. An exceptional tribute was paid to him on Friday, June 29, during his funeral.
Jacques R. Saadé dedicated his life to CMA CGM. All the Group’s employees based in Marseilles were invited to attend the religious ceremony celebrated at La Major Cathedral.
Attendees included Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Transports, and numerous local, national and international officials.
Lebanese Minister Michel Pharaon, representing Lebanese President General Michel Aoun, posthumously awarded Jacques R. Saadé the Lebanese Merit honor medal, the highest distinction in Lebanon.
Beforehand, hundreds of the Group’s collaborators gathered in front of the funeral cortege during a benediction outside the CMA CGM Tower, in presence of Mr. Saadé’s family. As a symbol of the strong attachment of the Group’s collaborators to Jacques R. Saadé, the cortege was warmly applauded.
In addition, the 30,000 associates of the Group observed a minute of silence in the 755 agencies implemented in 160 countries in which the CMA CGM Group operates.
In honor of its Founding President, five CMA CMG Group vessels anchored in the Bay of Marseilles in front of the Cathedral, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO (16,022 TEU), the CMA CGM LEO (11,388 TEU), the AKNOUL (RORO ship), the MONT VENTOUX (RORO ship) and the APL GWANGYANG (10,106 TEU).
All CMA CGM Group’s vessels worldwide sounded their horns at midday in tribute to the visionary entrepreneur who made the CMA CGM Group a global leader in maritime transport.
To honor the memory of Jacques R. Saadé and the leading role he played in the transformation of maritime transport and French maritime economy, all ships present in French ports also sounded their horns as a sign of tribute and respect.