On Friday, global transport and logistics giant CMA CGM Group announced a $20 billion investment to contribute to the US maritime economy and support the transformation of America’s domestic supply chain over the next four years. The Group has had a presence in the US for 35 years, and today, it operates in 40 states and employs 15,000 Americans.
One part of the expansion program will be in Chicago, where CMA CGM AIR CARGO will create an air cargo hub. The Group will deploy five new Boeing 777F freighters, operated by American pilots, to strengthen US trade and connectivity and ensure the reliable transport of critical and time-sensitive goods.
In February 2021, CMA CGM AIR CARGO Group launched its dedicated air freight division. It began commercial operations in March with its first flight between Liege (Belgium) and Chicago, followed by flights to New York, Atlanta, and Dubai. The division is a relatively new addition to the Group, and its launch marked a new milestone in the Group’s strategic development in logistics.
In September 2021, the Group announced the purchase of two Boeing 777F freighters to add capacity across its growing air freight network. The new aircraft helped the Group to deliver on its sustainability objectives as it pursues its commitment to offer its customers a complete range of transportation and logistics solutions.
CMA CGM Air Cargo began a partnership with Air France-KLM in May 2022, effective from April 2023, to develop their cargo capacities together. However, in January, the two companies announced that the agreement would end in March 2024 and cited a “tight regulatory environment” for the swift closure of the partnership.
In August 2024, CMA CGM AIR CARGO announced the delivery of its third Boeing 777-200F, which inaugurated a new transpacific route connecting Asia to North America. This milestone represents a significant step in CMA CGM AIR CARGO’s global expansion strategy and aligns with the Group’s ambition to offer its clients a comprehensive range of solutions.
Atlas Air operates the additional Boeing 777-200F on strategic global routes to airports such as Chicago, Seoul and Hong Kong. The first commercial flight took place on August 25, 2024, connecting Hong Kong (HKG) to Chicago (ORD) with a technical stop in Anchorage (ANC). On the westbound leg, the aircraft operates from Chicago (ORD) to Hong Kong (HKG) via Seoul (ICN).
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Since 2022, two Boeing 777-200F aircraft operated by CMA CGM AIR CARGO, based at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) hub, have been serving routes between Europe and Greater China, with five flights per week to Hong Kong and four flights per week to Shanghai.
According to Airport Technology, following the breakdown of its partnership with Air France-KLM CMA CGM Air Cargo expanded its aircraft orders in 2024 with an additional four Airbus 350Fs and one extra Boeing B777-200F plane set to enter its fleet in the next two years.
According to current fleet data from ch-aviation, CMA CGM AIR CARGO has a fleet of three aircraft, including one (inactive) Airbus A330-200F and two Boeing 777-200Fs. It also has eight Airbus A350Fs and one 777-200F on order, although the Airbus deliveries have been pushed to 2027 and beyond due to specific supply-chain challenges, notably with Spirit AeroSystems.
A big commitment to US jobs and infrastructure
The bulk of Friday’s announcement centered on maritime investments, and Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and chief executive of CMA CGM Group, said the Group is proud to build on its long-standing relationship with the US through this commitment of $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.”
CMA CGM Group is also opening a new logistics hub in Boston, focusing on advanced robotics and automation solutions. The new hub will be developed in partnership with leading American technology firms, and it will optimize logistics services to ensure the best service quality for American customers.
