CMA CGM expects faster growth in 2015

Container shipping line CMA CGM records a solid performance in 2014: Strong improvement in operating margin and net profit

The Board of Directors of France’s CMA CGM, one of the leading global container shipping companies, met under the chairmanship of Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to review the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014.

In 2014, consolidated revenue rose by 5.3% year-on-year to USD16.7 billion. Volumes carried increased by 8.1% to 12.2 million TEUs, largely outpacing the market and reaching a new historic high thanks to gains on the leading East-West lines and the strong sales performance by the Group’s regional and speciality brands.

In particular, volume growth was led by:

– The Asia-North Europe and Asia-North Africa trades, which enjoyed sustained growth.

– The reorganisation of CMA CGM and Delmas‘ Africa lines, combined with the opening of new inland corridors and dry ports.

– The more vigorous US economy.

– The expansion of the ANL subsidiary, specialised in Asia-Pacific trades, which increased volumes carried on existing lines and opened new shipping services.

In addition, the Group’s e-business platform, opened in October 2013, handled about 1.3 million TEUs in its first full year of operation.

In 2015, the container shipping market should continue to expand by around 5% in volume, led by sustained growth in the US economy and the improving outlook in Europe, albeit with a certain amount of geopolitical uncertainty. The CMA CGM fleet will be strengthened by the delivery of six new 18,000-TEU vessels (of which three owned), twelve 9,400-TEU class vessels under long-term charter and three Group-owned 2,100-TEU GuyanaMax vessels.

The Group is currently finalising the order of 3 additional newbuilt 20,600 TEU vessels to be delivered in 2017. In 2015, the Group will also benefit from the deployment of its Ocean Three strategic alliance with CSCL and UASC, as well as from its agreements with Hamburg Süd in South and North America and the consolidation of OPDR (subject to regulatory approval). In addition, the Group will continue to upgrade its information systems so as to continuously improve its operating performance.

CMA CGM, founded and led by Jacques R. Saadé is the world’s third largest and France’s top container shipping company. Its 445 vessels call more than 400 ports in the world, on all 5 continents. With a presence in 150 countries, through its 655 agencies network, the Group employs 20,000 people worldwide, including 2,400 in its headquarter in Marseilles.

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com