Despite tariff conflicts, geopolitical instability, and new U.S. port fees, the shipping giant continues its expansion. By adding advanced dual-fuel vessels to its fleet, CMA CGM has secured its position as the world’s second-largest container line.
The company’s total fleet capacity now stands at 5.42 million TEU, including new ships on order. This figure places it ahead of Maersk, trailing only MSC. This growth is a testament to the company’s steady advance, which seems unaffected by the constant disruptions in the maritime industry.
A cornerstone of this strategy is a massive $20 billion investment into U.S. maritime logistics. This commitment was highlighted when Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé announced plans to expand the company’s U.S.-flagged fleet, enhance container port capacity on both coasts, construct new warehouses nationwide, and set up a new air cargo hub in Chicago. The company already employs 15,000 people in the U.S. and is a major logistics provider for government cargo. The Chicago hub will host five new Boeing 777 freighters operated by American pilots.
The company’s investment strategy remains robust, regardless of market conditions. In 2025, CMA CGM placed a $2.6 billion order for twelve 18,000-TEU ships powered by LNG. Other recent developments include a new logistics operation at the Port of Lyon, a partnership to develop a deep-water terminal in Vietnam, and significant stakes in logistics platforms in Egypt and Brazil.
This focus on diversification across land, sea, and air is proving to be a key strength. As Mr. Saadé noted, having solid pillars in both shipping and logistics allows the company to better withstand industry cycles. While global disruptions did impact financials, the company demonstrated a resilient performance in Q2 2025, with revenues holding at $13.16 billion.
The growing importance of the company’s logistics division is clear from its financial reports. While shipping revenue saw a slight dip to $8.16 billion, the logistics sector’s revenue reached $4.6 billion. More importantly, the logistics division’s EBITDA improved by 2% to $459 million, driven by strong performance in contracted logistics. This performance validates the strategy set in motion years ago with the acquisition of CEVA Logistics.
CMA CGM has also skillfully navigated new U.S. port surcharges on Chinese-owned ships. Through strategic fleet and operational adjustments, the company announced it would not need to implement a surcharge to cover these fees, ensuring continued service to all its scheduled U.S. ports.
Looking ahead, the company is committed to sustainability, aiming for an emissions-free fleet by 2050. It has already introduced several dual-fuel ships capable of running on LNG and methanol. By 2027, CMA CGM anticipates having at least 162 dual-fuel vessels in its fleet, ready to use green fuels like bio-methane and e-methane. To support this transition, the company has partnered with TotalEnergies to build an LNG bunkering vessel in Rotterdam, further cementing its role as a leader in the race toward sustainable shipping.