CMA CGM Group confirms that it has resumed commercial operations in Russia, delivering food products, but “in strict compliance with the existing sanctions regime.” According to a source close to the matter, CMA CGM does not physically serve Russia with its own fleet but purchases space for its containers on other shipping companies’ vessels, Marine & Oceans reported.
“The regional operator CNC has resumed some of its commercial activities to meet the specific needs of its customers, particularly for supplying the Russian market with everyday consumer goods such as citrus fruits and coffee,” stated the French shipping company, which owns 100% of the CNC subsidiary.
“This activity, which remains very limited, is being conducted in strict compliance with the existing sanctions regime,” added the world’s third-largest shipping company.
Some shipping companies, such as the world’s largest container carrier MSC, has not suspended their shipping routes to Russia. On its website, MSC specifies that its “ships continue to call at Russian ports in accordance with applicable sanctions regimes.” “Since March 1, 2022, MSC has only been accepting bookings for AMH (food, medical, and humanitarian) cargo on services to and from Russia,” the Swiss shipping company said.
The resumption of service, decided by its subsidiary CNC in October, was revealed by the specialized publication Le Marin, a media outlet of the Ouest-France group. “The group historically supplied Saint Petersburg, extending its routes that serve Finland,” Ouest-France explains.
The world’s third-largest shipping company is based in Marseille and operates a fleet of over 650 vessels, 370 of which it owns. Thirty-three of these vessels fly the French flag. The Group also operates 60 port terminals in 30 countries across five continents, either independently or through joint ventures.
