As part of his state visit to France, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were welcomed by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, at the Group’s headquarters in Marseille.
Discussions focused on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a strategic trade route designed to enhance connectivity between India and Europe. The CMA CGM Group, as a French company and a global player in maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions, intends to actively contribute to this initiative.
CMA CGM Group : A Key Maritime and Logistics Player in India’s Economic Exchanges With a 34-year presence in India and 17,000 employees, CMA CGM connects the country to the world through 19 weekly maritime services. The Group is also developing port infrastructure in India, with strategic investments in terminals at Nhava Sheva Freeport (NSFT), near Mumbai, and Mundra Port.
CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM’s logistics subsidiary, operates across 105 sites in 31 Indian cities, managing around 900,000 square meters of warehouse space. The acquisition of Stellar VCS in 2023 further strengthened CEVA Logistics’ role in India’s contract logistics sector, offering global expertise and innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
Committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050, the CMA CGM Group is accelerating the decarbonization of transport and logistics in India. In December 2024, the Group made history with its container vessel CMA CGM FORT DIAMANT (7,300 TEUs), becoming the first LNG-powered ship to call at Nava Sheva Terminal. CMA CGM also promotes innovative block train solutions, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 67% compared to road transport.
A Key Role in the Ambitious IMEC Project Connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe
The IMEC project aims to enhance transit between Europe and India through integrated maritime and land infrastructure while also facilitating energy transport and telecommunications via a subsea cable. This strategic corridor will significantly boost trade between the European Union and the Middle East.
With a modern fleet adapted to alternative energy sources and key port hubs in India, the UAE, and the Mediterranean, CMA CGM will be a key contributor to the corridor’s efficiency. Additionally, a network of dry ports along the IMEC rail route—stretching from India through Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to Europe—will leverage the Group’s logistics expertise, reinforcing the economic and strategic vision of this alternative trade route.
By combining maritime flexibility with land connectivity, CMA CGM will play a vital role in the success of this transformative trade corridor.
CMA CGM Foundation: 20 Years of Commitment in India and Worldwide
Chaired by Tanya Saadé Zeenny, the CMA CGM Foundation was established in 2005. It embodies and translates into concrete actions the family values and commitment to social responsibility of the CMA CGM Group. The Foundation is primarily dedicated to humanitarian efforts and access to education, carrying out numerous initiatives worldwide.
In India, the CMA CGM Foundation has partnered with Child Rights and You (CRY) and Salaam Baalak Trust to renovate and construct nine educational and social centers, supporting over 2,150 children annually. In 2025, the inauguration of three new centers in collaboration with CRY will further strengthen access to quality education for underprivileged children.
In coordination with the Crisis and Support Center of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in India, the CMA CGM Foundation delivered essential medical equipment to treat COVID-19 patients in India. In May 2021, a CMA CGM AIR CARGO aircraft transported medical supplies, including 28 ventilators, 200 electric syringe pumps, and oxygen production units capable of ensuring complete autonomy for Indian hospitals for approximately 10 years, in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Marex Media