CMA CGM Group, a global container shipping company and the owner of US flag liner operator American President Lines (APL), has announced a US$20 billion investment to strengthen the US maritime economy and modernize the country’s domestic supply chain over the next four years.
This initiative builds on the Group’s 35-year presence in the United States, which currently operates in 40 states and employs 15,000 Americans. As a key partner in US trade, CMA CGM moves over 5 million shipping containers annually to and from the nation’s ports.
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, stated: “I am proud to build on our long-standing relationship with the United States through this commitment of US$20 billion to the country’s maritime future and logistics capabilities. Over the next four years, we will significantly grow our US-flagged fleet, expand the capacity of key container ports on both coasts, develop state-of-the-art warehousing across the country, and establish a significant air cargo hub in Chicago. This will create 10,000 new American jobs and further strengthen our partnership with American customers and public authorities.”
Through this programme, CMA CGM aims to enhance American maritime capabilities with targeted investments aligned with the US Administration’s priority to advance domestic shipbuilding. This includes increasing APL’s US flag capacity, creating new jobs, and integrating advanced technologies to strengthen maritime resources. These efforts will further solidify APL’s role as the leading carrier for US government cargo transportation while ensuring secure and reliable ocean access, essential for America’s economic and national security.
Additionally, the France-based ocean carrier will invest in port infrastructure at key locations, including New York, Los Angeles, Dutch Harbor, Houston, and Miami. These enhancements will improve supply chain efficiency, accelerate digitization and connectivity, and bolster safety measures for port workers and cargo.
CMA CGM’s investment will also drive advancements in US logistics and supply chain infrastructure through the development of cutting-edge warehousing and automotive logistics platforms. These efforts aim to enhance the security and reliability of the domestic supply chain while reinforcing US leadership in logistics.
Furthermore, the Group will expand American air cargo capacity with a new hub in Chicago. This expansion includes the deployment of five new Boeing 777 freighters, operated by American pilots, to support US trade, improve connectivity, and facilitate the transport of critical and time-sensitive goods.
Moreover, CMA CGM will establish a new logistics R&D hub in Boston, dedicated to advanced robotics and automation solutions. Developed in collaboration with leading American technology partners, this innovation center will enhance logistics services, ensuring superior service quality for US customers.
