Beirut, 

During his visit to Lebanon, Mr. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, gathered the Group’s clients, along with representatives of various institutions, and reaffirmed the attachment of CMA CGM to the economic development of the country.

During his speech, he announced his decision to support 4 Lebanese start-ups. Following the partnership signed with the incubator SMART ESA in February, a selection committee met and identified 4 high potential Lebanese start-ups.

CMA CGM will provide them with funding, and thus support them in their international development.

The 4 start-ups are:

- BlocRecs: block chain-based solution for verifying authenticity of university diplomas

- Otocar: solution enabling parents to follow up with their kids’ journey on the school bus

- Reable: solution enabling persons with disabilities to become financially independent

- Triend: a travel app which aims to bridge the gap between sharing or viewing an experience on social media and actually booking it

On this occasion, Rodolphe Saadé declared: « The Lebanese people are daring entrepreneurs, and Lebanon is creating an increasing number of promising start-ups. We are attached to the economic development of our country, and wish to help these start-ups by connecting them to our global network and expertise» In addition, Rodolphe Saadé reminded the audience of CMA CGM’s attachment to Lebanon through its activities:

  • Further development of the Group’s transport and logistics offering with the launch of a new service, ADRIMED EXPRESS

  • The creation of the Group’s sixth Regional Office recently established in Beirut, as well as its investments in Lebanese companies and projects.

-Ends-

About CMA CGM

CMA CGM, founded by Jacques R. Saadé, is a leading worldwide shipping group.

Its 504 vessels call more than 420 ports in the world on all 5 continents. In 2017, they carried nearly 19 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Now headed by Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM enjoys a continuous growth and keeps innovating to offer its customers new maritime, terrestrial, and logistical solutions.

With a presence in 160 countries and through its 755 agencies network, the Group employs more than 30,000 people worldwide, including 2,400 in its headquarters in Marseilles.

About CMA CGM Lebanon:

CMA CGM, is a major player in the shipping activity in Lebanon. The Group offers 9 weekly calls to Lebanon, which include 4 mother vessels serving 8 calls to Beirut Port and 1 call to Tripoli.

At Beirut port, CMA CGM handles about 260,000 full containers annually which account for 23% of the total traffic of Beirut Port. Along with its partners, CMA CGM is the number 1 shipping company in Lebanon in terms of quantity of vessels operated.

In Tripoli, CMA CGM handles 51% of the Port’s volume. Its investments include the opening of new offices, an offering of 11000 m2 consisting of 6000m2 of warehousing facilities in the Free Zone area, and 5000m2 in the container terminal yard of the port.

Outside of Beirut, the Beqaa Dry Port represents a key initiative to support Lebanese fruit and vegetables producers and accelerate the development of agriculture in the country. The objective in 2018 is to develop a bonded warehouse with the relevant authorities.

CMA CGM has long been a promoter of economic development in Lebanon and has become a major player in the startups eco system by partnering with the incubator Smart ESA. The result is the creation of a program sponsored by the Group to identify and nurture startups that will benefit and impact the economy.

To reaffirm the Group’s attachment to the country, equity investments were made in ABC and Bank of Beirut

To pursue the development of the shipping & logistics industries in the region CMA CGM East Med Regional Office was established in Lebanon to cover Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Cyprus and Iraq CMA CGM Academy in Lebanon positions education as an important pillar in the Group’s strategy. One of the initiatives illustrating the investment in its human capital is the launch of the certificate in shipping & logistics in partnership with ESA, whereby CMA CGM will sponsor 24 collaborators over a period of 3 years. External candidates looking to start or develop their careers in the industry can also apply to the program.

Presided by Mrs. Naïla Saadé, CMA CGM Corporate Foundation demonstrates the group’s social commitment and shows its willingness to act for those who need the most and who are representing future the most: children.

© Press Release 2018