CMA CGM Celebrates 40 Years of Entrepreneurialship
40 years ago, on September 13th, 1978, Jacques R. Saadé launched the first maritime line between Marseilles and Beirut, with only one ship and 4 employees. The day marked the beginning of an extraordinary humane and entrepreneurial adventure, said a press release.According to the statement, 40 years later, CMA CGM has become a recognized world leader, with 34,000 employees and a presence in more than 160 countries. History: It is amid the Lebanese war that Jacques R. Saadé decided to settle in Marseilles to protect his family. As a visionary man, he anticipated the evolutions of international trade and was convinced of the crucial role containerization was about to play.
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.
CMA CGM Founder Jacques Saade Dies at 81
Mr. Jacques R. Saade, founding president of the CMA CGM Group, died on June 24, 2018 at the age of 81, according to the company. Jacques R. Saadé dedicated his life to CMA CGM. An extraordinary visionary and entrepreneur, he made the group into a world leader in the maritime transport of containers, developing the company in more than 160 countries, while maintaining the family dimension with its values. After having left Lebanon to protect his family for Civil War, Jacques R Saadé founded the Compagnie Maritime d’Affretement (CMA) 40 years ago…
Mayor of Shanghai Visits CMA CGM Tower
Rodolphe Saadé, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group, has received this Tuesday, July 4, 2017, Yong YING, Mayor of Shanghai, who is on an official visit to Marseille for the signature of the 30 years of twinning between the two cities. On this occasion, the Mayor of Shanghai and Rodolphe Saadé looked back on the history of the remarkable relationship between China and CMA CGM since 1992. CMA CGM is the only company he will visit during his trip in France. Yong YING stated: There is a fruitful cooperation between Shanghai and CMA CGM. Given its close relations with China and the city of Shanghai, CMA CGM was keen to invite several business leaders to strengthen their ties with this country, which offers enormous potential development.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls Visits CMA CGM
French container shipper CMA CGM received Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of France, the CMA CGM Tower, Group headquarters in Marseille, Friday September 9. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Emmanuelle Cosse, Minister for Housing and Sustainable Habitat, the Regional Prefect and elected officials. Manuel Valls was greeted by Jacques Saade, Founder and CEO of CMA CGM Group, and members of senior management. The two men exchanged views on the maritime industry, global trade, and the major role of the French CMA CGM in Marseille and economy. The Group transported in 2015 over 6.5 million tonnes of French goods to the world and employs over 4,500 people in France, 2400 in Marseille, where it is the largest private employer in the city.
CMA CGM Pays Tribute to Zaha Hadid, Architect of CMA CGM Tower
CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping Group, pays tribute to Zaha Hadid, who sadly died on March 31st. Zaha Hadid a renowned architect and 2004 Pritzker Prize Winner, completed the CMA CGM Tower in Marseilles as one of her major projects. In 2004, with the growth of the CMA CGM Group, Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, decided to build a new Head Office in Marseilles. Zaha Hadid presented him a tower’s sketch: he immediately appreciated her project’s elegance, mixing architectural curves and lines. From this long-term collaboration resulted the CMA CGM Tower, a 147 meter tall architectural masterpiece, completed in December 2010.
CMA CGM Returns to Profit
The Board of Directors of France-based CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, recently met under the chairmanship of M. Jacques R. Saadé to review the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009. In a container shipping environment where every player was severely affected by the global crisis – the deepest the maritime shipping industry has ever experienced – the Group’s consolidated revenue declined by 30% to $10.5b in 2009, dragged down by a sharp reduction in freight rates and volumes. Overall, 7.9 million TEU* were carried by the Group during the year, a 9% decline that nevertheless outperformed the 12% drop in world container traffic.
