CMA CGM strengthens its position in China and participates in a major investment project

CMA CGM is pleased to announce that its project to invest in the construction and the management of a deep water container terminal in the port of Xiamen, together with its partners New World Services Holding Ltd and Xiamen Haicang Investment General Co, has been approved by the China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce. CMA CGM holds 30% of the Joint venture that will equip and operate during 50 years the two berth terminal.

The port of Xiamen ranks 22nd in the world in container traffic, with more than 4,5M TEUs handled in 2007, an increase of 15% over 2006. The terminal is expected to be operational in 2010.

“This new project reinforces the Group’s already strong presence in China and confirms its participation in developing transport infrastructure in the country”, explains Farid Salem, CMA CGM Group Chief Executive Vice President.

Indeed, the Group has already acquired an eight percent share in China Rail Intermodal, a project to design, build and manage a network of 18 railway container stations covering the entire Chinese territory. Most of the terminals are presently under construction, and the first eight will be operating by the end of 2009. CMA CGM is also present in the Chinese port of Tianjin, in a three berth terminal due to be operational in 2011, via a 50-year concession agreement signed in August 2008

CMA CGM in China – Key figures : Present since 1992 | A dense network of 64 agencies |33 weekly services | A departure every 6 hours 15 ports of call | Investment in transport infrastucture during the period 2007-2010 : 2,8 bn RMD (409 M USD).

About CMA CGM - Led by its founder Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM is currently the world’s third largest container shipping company and is ranked number one in France. Operating a fleet of 400 vessels, including 100 company-owned, the Group serves 400 ports of call around the world. In 2007 it carried a total of 7.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on every continent and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies, the Group employs 16,500 people including 4,200 in France.