CMA CGM Air Cargo explores expanding its operations to Vietnam

CMA CGM Air Cargo could expand its operations to Vietnam.

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group said on Twitter on December 15: “CMA CGM had the privilege of meeting Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam. We are committed to continuing to support Vietnam’s economic development. Through the expansion of GEMALINK4, with logistics solutions with CEVA Logistics as well as with CMA CGM AIR CARGO.”

Discussions about investment in Vietnam took place during a meeting between CMA CGM Group’s vice-president for public affairs, governmental contracts & business development, Patrice Bergamini, and Phạm Minh Chính.

CMA CGM already has well established port operations in the country.

On its website, CMA CGM says that since 1994 the CMA CGM Group has invested in port infrastructure in Vietnam through its joint-venture partnership with Sowatco and Mitsui on First Logistics Development Company’s Vietnam International Container Terminal (VICT) in Ho Chi Minh City.

Another joint venture partnership with Gemadept resulted in the establishment in the deep-sea water Gemalink terminal, which started operations in January 2021.

CMA CGM Vietnam has over 250 staff, five offices and 30 services throughout the country, including six at APM Terminals’ Cai Mep International Terminal, 50 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

The potential investment comes as the air cargo industry faces continued reduced demand.

CMA CGM Air Cargo is leasing out four of its freighter aircraft to Qatar Cargo and DHL’s express airline, European Transport Leipzig (EAT), writes Air Cargo News’ sister title DVZ.

FreightWaves also recently reported that CMA CGM Air Cargo is no longer selling space to freight forwarders on its own cargo jets operating to Chicago and Atlanta from Europe.

CMA CGM Air Cargo has unveiled major plans to develop airfreight operations.

In May this year, CMA CGM Air Cargo announced a ten-year partnership with Air France KLM covering the operation of freighters.

CMA CGM Air Cargo plans to operate a fleet of at least 12 freighters by 2026.

Guillaume Lathelize was appointed CMA CGM Air Cargo’s new chief executive in October, taking over from Olivier Casanova who will return to his previous role as deputy chief financial officer at CMA CGM.