- Inauguration of CMA CGM Tangier, the second container ship of the CMA CGM fleet flying the Moroccan flag
- CMA CGM, a historic partner of Morocco, committed to maritime and economic development of the Kingdom
The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in maritime transport, is pleased to announce that CMA CGM Tangier has just made its inaugural stopover this Wednesday, November 28 in Agadir. Rodolphe Saadé, Group CEO, participated in this event with Mr. Ahmed Hajji, Wali from Souss-Massa region and Governor of Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane prefecture.
CMA CGM, Morocco’s historic partner, confirms its maritime ambitions for the Kingdom
CMA CGM Tangier, a 1,118 TEU (Equivalent twenty feet) vessel flying the Moroccan flag, becomes the second CMA CGM vessel registered in Morocco. It is deployed on the Morocco Shuttle line, connecting Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir and Algesiras. By choosing to register a ship in Morocco and baptize it with the name of a city emblematic of the economic development of the Kingdom, CMA CGM confirms its roots in the country, where it has been present since 1983 and whose aim is to promote the maritime heritage and know-how.
In 2014, the CMA CGM Group set up an ambitious partnership with the Higher Institute for Maritime Studies (ISEM) of Casablanca. 26 Moroccan Merchant Navy cadets were trained in this framework, of which 20 are currently at sea on the Group’s ships. Two of them are posted aboard the CMA CGM Tangier. CMA CGM is also committed to the development of COMANAV, which joined the Group in 2007, and which it intends to support in particular the historical activities of ship acquisition and chartering.
A leading group in maritime transport and logistics, committed to the economic emergence of Morocco
CMA CGM also supports the development of the Moroccan economy, including its agricultural exports. Reflecting this commitment, the Group launched the “Morocco Reefer Tour” on November 12, during which it meets Moroccan exporters of citrus fruits and vegetables to promote its know-how in refrigerated container transport (” Reefer “). It has also decided to strengthen its service offering for the citrus export season, with the optimization of several lines linking Morocco to Northern Europe and Russia each week.
More broadly, the Group is a leader in maritime transport in Morocco, a country that is strategic for its development and ambition, particularly because of its role as a crossroads for trade between Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean Basin. The Group employs 1,600 people and makes more than 1,000 calls a year, with 25 maritime services serving the entire world, including more than 80 ports served directly from Morocco. This significant maritime service will be further strengthened with the launch in December of a weekly service that will link Agadir to Port-Vendres in less than 72 hours, thus offering a competitive alternative to road transport.
In addition to shipping activities, the CMA CGM Group also offers a range of diversified activities in land transport, handling and logistics services. In April 2018, CMA CGM invested in a new logistics platform, Atlas Multimodal International, in Tangier; this platform is intended to serve as a real advanced hub for the Group’s customers.
CMA CGM is also supporting the ramp-up of Moroccan port infrastructure through its subsidiary Terminal Link, which is 100% owner of the Casablanca terminal and holds a 40% stake in the Eurogate Terminal of Tangier Med. In Casablanca, Terminal Link invests via Somaport, 140 million dirhams in the dredging of the port, whose depth will now be 12 meters. This investment will help develop the attractiveness of the port of Casablanca to cope with the evolution of the size of the ships.
By developing its activities in the country, CMA CGM intends to support Moroccan companies in their international development and the Kingdom in its economic emergence, in a relationship of respect and trust.
